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CAF restores biennial AFCON, ending 2030 gap

By Drooid · Oct 30, 2026 · How we work

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Summary

The CAF Executive Committee voted unanimously on 29 October 2026 to restore the biennial AFCON format.
President Patrice Motsepe said the change protects African football, its 54 members and overseas players.
AFCON editions are set for 2028, 2031 and 2033, with no tournament in 2030.
CAF said the Africa Nations League needs years to generate revenue, so AFCON remains its funding source for member grants.

History

Since its 1957 debut, CAF’s Africa Cup of Nations has been biennial, but in 2013 the tournament moved to odd-numbered years to avoid clashing with the FIFA World Cup. A 2025 plan to shift the competition to even years and a quadrennial format for 2028 was reversed on 29 October 2026, keeping the biennial rhythm and protecting the Africa Nations League, slated to begin in 2029.

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Since its 1957 debut, CAF’s Africa Cup of Nations has been biennial, but in 2013 the tournament moved to odd-numbered years to avoid clashing with the FIFA World Cup. A 2025 plan to shift the competition to even years and a quadrennial format for 2028 was reversed on 29 October 2026, keeping the biennial rhythm and protecting the Africa Nations League, slated to begin in 2029.

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