The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its earlier decision to hold the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, restoring the tournament to its traditional two-year cycle.
The decision was unanimously approved during a CAF Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, October 30, 2026.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe had recently indicated that the organisation would reconsider its earlier decision following concerns raised over the proposed changes to the continental football calendar.
Speaking at a strategy conference in Cabo Verde, Motsepe said the CAF Executive Committee would review the plan to move AFCON from a two-year to a four-year schedule.
CAF had previously proposed introducing an Africa Nations League to replace the biennial AFCON, with the new competition expected to take place every two years.
However, the governing body said the proposed Africa Nations League would require several years to become globally competitive and financially self-sustaining.
The latest decision means AFCON will continue to be organised every two years, maintaining the competition’s established format.
Meanwhile, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are scheduled to jointly host the 2027 edition of the tournament.
The three East African countries will stage the next AFCON as CAF continues preparations for the competition.
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