CAF Decides to Return to Holding African Cup of Nations Every Two Years

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a return to holding the Africa Cup of Nations every two years instead of every four, as previously planned, thereby reversing its earlier decision. The Africa Cup of Nations had traditionally been held biennially, but CAF’s sudden decision last December to switch it to a quadrennial tournament was not well received. In a statement, CAF said: “The CAF Executive Committee has unanimously decided to resume holding the Africa Cup of Nations every two years.” Under the previous plan, the Africa Cup of Nations was scheduled to be held every four years, with the proposed Nations League becoming the continental tournament held every two years. CAF President Patrice Motsepe stated earlier this month at a continental union conference in Cape Verde that the confederation was considering reverting to a biennial Africa Cup of Nations. CAF noted that the Nations League would take several years to generate sufficient revenue to support African football. Motsepe added in a statement: “The Executive Committee’s decision to reorganize the Africa Cup of Nations on a biennial basis aims to enhance, protect, and support the interests of African football, the 54 national member associations of CAF, and the interests of African players who compete for clubs outside the continent.” Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda will co-host the next edition in 2027, with subsequent tournaments scheduled for 2028, 2031, and 2033. The Africa Cup of Nations will not be held in 2030, as CAF remains committed to its tradition of not staging the tournament in years when the FIFA World Cup takes place.