The Africa Cup of Nations will continue to be played every two years after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reversed its plan to move the tournament to a four-year cycle. CAF said in a statement that its Executive Committee took the decision unanimously.
What has CAF decided?
The next Africa Cup of Nations goes ahead as planned in 2027, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. CAF has confirmed that the following editions will be held in 2028, 2031 and 2033.
There will be no tournament in 2030 because it is a FIFA World Cup year. CAF said it is following FIFA's tradition that confederation finals for national teams are not played in a World Cup year, which explains the three-year gap after 2028.
Why has CAF changed course?
CAF announced last December that the Africa Cup of Nations would move to a four-year cycle from 2028. A new competition, the Africa Nations League, was meant to fill the gap as a biennial pan-African tournament.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said at the CAF Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde, held from 7 to 9 October, that the Executive Committee would reconsider that plan. In its statement, CAF said the new league would need several years before it could bring in the money needed to make African football and its competitions globally competitive and self-supporting.
"The decision by the CAF EXCO that the CAF AFCON should take place every Two Years was based on advancing, protecting and promoting the interest of African Football and CAF's 54 Member Associations, as well as the interest of African players employed by Football Clubs outside Africa," Motsepe said.
What does it mean for clubs in Europe?
Many of Africa's leading players play in Europe's top leagues, so the decision means clubs will keep losing key players to the tournament every two years rather than every four. AFP noted that this part of the decision may prove contentious with clubs.
More national-team news is in our International section.
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