Africa’s biggest football tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), will be staged every four years from 2028, Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has announced.

AFCON has been held biennially since 1968, with the only exception coming between the 2012 and 2013 editions. Under the new structure, the competition will switch to a four-year cycle after the 2027 tournament, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda under the PAMOJA banner. The host nation for the 2028 edition is yet to be named.

Motsepe revealed the decision at a press conference ahead of the opening match of the 2025 AFCON in Morocco. He said the change was aimed at better aligning African football with the global calendar.

“We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” Motsepe said. “I do what is in the interests of Africa. The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised.”

CAF has also increased the prize money for AFCON winners from $7m (£5.5m) to $10m, a move expected to further boost the competition’s appeal and commercial value.

AFCON’s two-year cycle has long been a point of contention, particularly because recent tournaments have often been held midway through the European club season, causing disruption for clubs and players alike.

In addition to the calendar change, Motsepe announced the introduction of an African Nations League, which will begin in 2029 and be played annually.

“Every year in Africa, the best African players who play in Europe will be with us on the continent,” he said. “We will have a competition with 54 African nations, with all the best players coming here to play.”

The African Nations League will be scheduled for September and October, with regional winners meeting in November to decide the overall champion. Motsepe added that the decision was taken in consultation with FIFA president Gianni Infantino and FIFA secretary general Mattias Grafström.