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Africa Cup of Nations calendar

This dossier follows CAF decisions on AFCON frequency and scheduling, distinguishing the announced principle from edition dates.

Last updated : 1 key moments
Illustration of the AFCON trophy, created in 2016; it does not depict a trophy presentation.
Illustration of the AFCON trophy, created in 2016; it does not depict a trophy presentation. — 0 Noctis 0 / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ ; illustration créée en 2016, rendu PNG.

Where things stand

CAF announced a return to a two-year AFCON cycle on 29 October 2026, with a transitional schedule of 2027, 2028, 2031 and 2033.

Reported information

CAF restores the principle of an AFCON every two years

CAF's executive committee unanimously decided to restore an Africa Cup of Nations every two years, according to a statement dated 29 October 2026.

Illustration of the AFCON trophy, created in 2016; it does not depict a trophy presentation.
Illustration of the AFCON trophy, created in 2016; it does not depict a trophy presentation. — 0 Noctis 0 / Wikimedia Commons — CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ ; illustration créée en 2016, rendu PNG.

The announced schedule nevertheless has uneven intervals: after the 2027 edition in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, CAF plans tournaments in 2028, 2031 and 2033.

Patrice Motsepe attributes the reversal to African football's sporting and financial interests. He says the proposed pan-African Nations League would need several years to generate the expected resources.

A two-year cycle is therefore the adopted principle; it does not mean that all upcoming editions will immediately be two years apart.

Sources 3