CAPE VERDE – The Africa Cup of Nations will return to being played every two years after the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO) reversed its earlier decision to stage the tournament every four years.
The decision was taken by the EXCO, with the Confederation of African Football saying the move follows a review of the competition’s future.
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe had indicated at the CAF Strategy Conference held in Cabo Verde from 7 to 9 October 2026 that the Executive Committee would reconsider the resolution adopted last year to move AFCON to a four-year cycle.
Following that review, the EXCO has now resolved that the continent’s flagship national team competition will revert to a biennial format.
The four-year proposal had drawn mixed reactions across the continent, with concerns over its impact on competitiveness, commercial value, player development and fan engagement.
The next TotalEnergies CAF AFCON will take place in 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. CAF is expected to release further details on the implementation timelines and the calendar implications of the return to the two-year cycle.
