End of Biennial AFCON: CAF Announces Four-Year Format and New Nations League
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled sweeping reforms to Africa’s international football calendar, confirming that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will shift to a four-year cycle, while a new Africa Nations League will be introduced as an annual competition. At the same time, the African Nations Championship (CHAN) is set to be cancelled, creating a significant gap for home-based players.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe confirmed the changes following an executive committee meeting in Morocco ahead of the 2025 finals. AFCON will move away from its long-standing two-year format after the 2027 edition in East Africa, aligning the tournament with a quadrennial cycle from 2028 onwards.
Motsepe said the decision was driven by player welfare and calendar congestion.
“We have had players telling us they want to honour national team call-ups, but their clubs need them to compete for league titles. We have had to make sacrifices to reduce the burden on players,” he explained.
The shift also reflects ongoing scheduling challenges. Despite CAF’s intention to stage AFCON in June–July from 2019, factors such as Covid-19, climate considerations, and the expanded FIFA Club World Cup have repeatedly forced mid-season tournaments. The 2025 AFCON in Morocco will therefore run over Christmas and New Year, with the final set for 18 January.
Africa Nations League: football every year
To ensure annual international competition, CAF will introduce the Africa Nations League, set to begin from 2028/29 and played during FIFA windows. All 54 member associations will be split into regional zones — North, East, West, and Central & Southern Africa — with regional champions meeting later in the year to crown an overall winner.
Motsepe described the tournament as “the equivalent of an AFCON every year,” stressing that its alignment with FIFA windows will guarantee the availability of Europe-based stars and attract stronger commercial backing. CAF believes this will significantly raise the quality, visibility and financial sustainability of African international football.
CAF has also increased AFCON prize money, with winners’ earnings rising from $7 million to $10 million, underlining its push to enhance the competition’s global standing.
CHAN cancellation leaves a development gap
Against this backdrop of reform, reports that CHAN will be cancelled have cast a shadow over the calendar. Since its launch, the tournament has been a crucial platform for home-based players, boosting domestic leagues and offering a pathway to international recognition.
Its removal risks reducing exposure for locally-based talent and limiting scouting opportunities. While CAF has not yet confirmed whether the cancellation is permanent, stakeholders are urging renewed investment in domestic leagues, youth competitions and alternative pathways to ensure local players are not left behind.
As African football enters a new era of calendar reform — with AFCON every four years and the Africa Nations League filling the annual slot — the hope remains that solutions will emerge to protect grassroots development and preserve opportunities for home-grown talent across the continent.