CAF President Patrice Motsepe Announces Major Change to AFCON After 2027 Edition
- CAF President Patrice Motsepe has announced that AFCON will switch to a four-year cycle after the 2027 edition
- The Africa Cup of Nations has been played on a two-year cycle since its inception in 1957, but it is set to change
- The FIFA World Cup and other major football competitions in the world operate on a quadrennial system
- A Nigerian journalist in Morocco slammed the critics, asking not to kill the seed of the tournament before it grows
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations will switch to a four-year cycle after the 2027 edition in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Africa's biggest football competition has operated in a two-year cycle since its inception in 1957, but the timing will change from the 2028 edition.
Source: Getty Images
The 35th edition of the tournament is set to kick off in Morocco on December 21, 2025 and run through the festive period until January 18, 2026.
Motsepe announces AFCON change
CAF President Patrice Motsepe, during the press conference ahead of AFCON 2025 kickoff, confirmed that Africa's flagship competition will now be played every four years.
The South African businessman confirmed that after the East African trio of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda hosts AFCON 2027, a new cycle will begin from 2028.
“We have the most exciting new structure for African football. I do what is in the interests of Africa. The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised,” he told CAF TV.
“AFCON has become one of the most-watched and commercially successful football tournaments in the world.
“Moving to a four-year cycle ensures that we continue to grow its value, while giving our players and clubs the space to thrive both domestically and internationally.”
Source: Getty Images
The decision received mixed reactions from the fans; some applauded it as long overdue, while others bashed the decision to shift the tradition.
@Real1_balogun wrote:
“AFCON shifting to a four-year cycle is very likely due to the stress of logistics. If those tournaments aren’t held at the end of the season, the complaints won’t end. It also gives whoever gets the hosting rights ample time to prepare, if they truly want it. Time will tell what becomes of this decision.”
@osasuo wrote:
“In February 2020, @FIFAcom President Gianni Infantino said a two-yearly #AFCON “was useless” and it should become a four-yearly event. On 20th December 2025, Infantino got his way. It will be a four-yearly event from 2028. I weep for Africa. 🥲”
@agathedelili wrote:
“Motsepe is a disgrace. His only ambition seems to be Infantino's table dancer. AFCON every four years? Shame on you. Keep in mind that Africa only has 10 teams in the World Cup. So while 10 countries play, 44 others will be home waiting for the next AFCON, 🤦🏾♀️”
A Nigerian journalist, who asked not to be named due to his workplace policy, spoke to Legit.ng from his AFCON 2025 base in Morocco, saying that the refreshed format should be given a chance.
“We are typically a generation of people who are resistant to change. Switching AFCON to a four-year cycle was long overdue,” he told Legit.ng.
“Never condemn a thing before it starts. The demand should be that it should be better organised and developed far superior quality. Those who condemned the new Champions League format have come back to love it.”
CAF makes changes to African football
Legit.ng reported that CAF made six changes to African football as announced by President Patrice Motsepe ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The biggest change is that AFCON will no longer be held every two years, but instead every four years in line with the global football calendar.
Source: Legit.ng
