The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the continent’s most prestigious tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), will return to its traditional two-year format.

CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe announced the development at the Executive Committee meeting on Thursday, October 28.

“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 hinted at a possible return at the CAF Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde on October 7-9, saying the Executive Committee would reassess and reconsider last year’s decision.

CAF had earlier announced that the competition would adopt a new four-year format and introduce a new competition, the African Nations League, in December during the last Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

According to CAF, the decision to return to a two-year cycle was borne out of the recognition that the proposed Africa Nations League Pan-African Competition, meant to happen every two years, would take several years of planning to be in a position to contribute the needed financial resources required for the continent’s competitions and African football to be globally competitive and self-reliant.

The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations win for Tanzania, Kenya, and Uganda would go on schedule; thereafter, AFCONs will be held in 2028, 2031 and 2033 accordingly, Motsepe said in a statement.

“The next TotalEnergies CAF AFCON will take place in 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda and I am confident that it will be very successful. The subsequent AFCONs thereafter will take place in 2028, 2031 and 2033. The forthcoming FIFA World Cup will take place in 2030, and in accordance with FIFA tradition, the final tournament of the AFCON and other Confederations’ National Teams competitions may not take place during the year of the FIFA World Cup

He also added that the Africa Cup of Nations is not just about football but an avenue for cultural exchange, bringing people of different traditions and cultures under one roof while also enjoying the beautiful game.

Motsepe said the CAF Exco decision is in the best interest of African players employed by various clubs in the World, African football, its 54-member football body, and the need to continually contribute to the growth and development of African football.

“The CAF EXCO decision is in the best interest of African Football and CAF’s 54 Member Associations and will also contribute significantly to the development and growth of football in Africa.”