By Frank Ulom
RABAT (CONVERSEER) – The Confederation of African Football has announced that the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held every four years, beginning from 2028. The Confederation also introduced a new African Nations League, which will also be played annually from 2029.
The announcement was made by CAF President Patrice Motsepe during the Confederation’s executive committee meeting in Morocco on Saturday, 20th December 2025.
During the meeting, Motsepe explained that the AFCON, a competition that has historically taken place every two years since its establishment in 1957, will transition to a four-year cycle after the 2028 edition. This adjustment comes despite the tournament being the single largest source of CAF’s income, accounting for the vast majority of its revenue.
Motsepe clarified that the finals scheduled for 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will proceed as planned, followed by another staging in 2028, before the new rhythm of every four years takes effect.
To ensure continuity and maintain competitive opportunities for national teams, Motsepe also revealed the creation of a new African Nations League, set to be contested annually from 2029. This initiative mirrors the European model, where continental championships are staged every four years but supplemented by a Nations League to provide regular fixtures and financial stability.
According to the CAF President, “Historically, the Nations Cup was the prime resource for us, but now we will get financial resources every year.
“It is an exciting new structure which will contribute to sustainable financial independence and ensure more synchronisation with the FIFA calendar.”
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In addition to the sweeping adjustments to the Africa Cup of Nations calendar and the unveiling of a new Nations League, the Confederation of African Football used the occasion to underscore a series of significant financial developments that reflect its broader vision for the future of the game on the continent.
It was confirmed that the prize money attached to the Africa Cup of Nations now stands at an impressive $10 million, a figure that translates to roughly N15 billion for the eventual champions.
The announcement did not stop there. CAF further revealed that both the Champions League and the Confederation Cup, the two premier club competitions under its umbrella, will see their prize structures revised upward in the coming seasons.
Attentions are now turned to Morocco, where the 2025 AFCON is currently taking place.
