African Cup of Nations returns to two-year hosting cycle

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 09:38 · Archive

The African Cup of Nations will return to being held every two years after the Confederation of African Football reversed its December decision to move to a four-year cycle.

The Confederation of African Football has reversed its December decision to hold the African Cup of Nations every four years, returning to the traditional two-year hosting cycle. Caf president Patrice Motsepe said the decision 'aims to advance, protect and promote the interests of African football and the 54 Caf Member Associations, as well as those of African players playing for clubs outside the continent'.

In December, Caf announced the shift to a four-year cycle, aligning Afcon with other continental tournaments such as the Euros and Copa America. Under those plans, a new African Nations League was to replace Afcon as the biennial competition. However, Caf acknowledged that the Nations League would take several years to generate the revenue required to become self-sufficient.

The biennial hosting of Afcon has long disrupted the football calendar, with recent tournaments typically held mid-season in the European club season. The next Afcon will take place in 2027, jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, followed by editions in 2028, 2031 and 2033. There will be no tournament in 2030 because of the World Cup.

How it is being reported

• AFCON returns to 2-year cycle after CAF reverses quadrennial decisionKenya, Tanzania and Uganda will cohost the next AFCON in 2027, with subsequent tournaments in 2028, 2031 and 2033.Al Jazeera · 30 Oct, 09:57
• Major AFCON change confirmed by CAF with next four tournaments revealedCAF has confirmed a switch back for their continental tournament as a biennial competition, dismissing the potential in the short-term for the proposed CAF Nations LeagueIndependent Sport · 30 Oct, 09:19
• Afcon to return to two-year cycle after Caf U-turnThe African Cup of Nations (Afcon) will return to its traditional two-year cycle after a review into December's decision to host it every four years instead.BBC Sport · 30 Oct, 08:39

In this story: Confederation of African Football · Patrice Motsepe · Kenya · Tanzania · Uganda · Morocco · Senegal

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