According to Fabrizio Romano on Friday, October 30, 2026, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will return to its traditional format of being played every two years.

The decision was unanimously approved by the CAF Executive Committee on Thursday, October 29, bringing an end to the plan to organise the prestigious continental competition every four years.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirmed that the next editions of the tournament will take place in 2027, 2028, 2031 and 2033.

The announcement represents a major development for African football, particularly after the governing body introduced plans in December 2025 to change AFCON from its traditional two-year schedule to a four-year format.

That earlier decision attracted criticism from several football supporters and stakeholders across the continent, with concerns that holding the competition every four years could reduce opportunities for African national teams and affect the tournament's commercial value.

However, CAF has now reconsidered its position and decided that returning to the two-year format would better serve the interests of African football.

Motsepe explained that the proposed African Nations League, which was expected to replace AFCON as a major competition held every two years, would require several years before it could generate the financial resources needed to support the development of African football.

He added that the decision was taken to protect and promote the interests of CAF's 54 member associations, as well as African players competing for clubs outside the continent.

The next edition of AFCON will take place in 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda jointly hosting the competition. The tournament is expected to bring together some of the best national teams and players in African football.

The 2028 edition will follow before the competition returns in 2031 and 2033. The schedule also takes the 2030 FIFA World Cup into consideration, as AFCON will not be organised during that World Cup year.

The decision is expected to bring excitement to football supporters across Africa, who have traditionally enjoyed watching their national teams compete for continental glory every two years.

With the new arrangement officially confirmed, African football can now look forward to maintaining one of its biggest and most celebrated international competitions on a biennial schedule.