The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will return to its traditional two-year cycle after its Executive Committee unanimously approved the reversal of an earlier decision to hold the competition every four years.

The decision was announced on Thursday, October 29, following a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee, which reconsidered the restructuring plan introduced in December 2025.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the reversal was necessary to protect the interests of African football, the continent's 54 member associations and African players competing for clubs outside the continent.

He explained that the proposed Africa Nations League, which was expected to replace AFCON as the continent's biennial national-team competition, would require several years to generate the substantial financial resources needed to support African football and its competitions.

Motsepe said the governing body considered the financial and developmental implications of waiting for the proposed competition to become commercially sustainable before deciding to restore AFCON's two-year schedule.

Under the revised calendar, the next AFCON will take place in 2027, jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.

Subsequent editions are scheduled for 2028, 2031 and 2033, with the tournament avoiding 2030 to accommodate the FIFA World Cup.

The 2027 competition will therefore proceed as planned, while the additional 2028 edition will follow under the restored biennial arrangement.

CAF said the decision was intended to ensure that the competition continued contributing to football development and providing financial support to national football associations across the continent.

The reversal comes after CAF announced in December 2025 that AFCON would move from its established two-year cycle to a four-year schedule following the 2028 edition.

The earlier restructuring was linked to plans to introduce an Africa Nations League from 2029, which was expected to provide a major national-team competition during years without AFCON.

The proposed changes were intended to improve alignment with the international football calendar and address scheduling challenges involving African players employed by clubs outside the continent.

However, the plan generated debate among football stakeholders over its potential effects on national associations, competition revenue and the visibility of African national teams.

Motsepe subsequently indicated during CAF's strategy conference in Cabo Verde, held from October 7 to 9, 2026, that the Executive Committee would reconsider the four-year arrangement.

The CAF president said the continental governing body remained committed to protecting African football's interests while working with other football organisations to address international scheduling challenges.

He also described AFCON as more than a sporting competition, noting its role in celebrating Africa's diverse cultures, traditions and communities while bringing together people from across the continent and the diaspora.

The restoration of the biennial format is expected to maintain the competition's importance as a major source of revenue, visibility and development opportunities for African football.

CAF said the decision would contribute to strengthening its competitions and supporting the long-term growth and global competitiveness of football across its member associations.