Confederation of African Football President Patrice Motsepe and Brazilian Fifa Deputy Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom (R) attend a press conference at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat, Morocco on December 20, 2025, ahead of the start of the Africa Cup of Nations football tournament. SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP
The Africa Cup of Nations will be staged every four years following an edition planned for 2028 in a major change to what is currently a biennial showpiece, African football chief Patrice Motsepe announced on Saturday, January 20.
The Confederation of African Football president revealed the change as part of a significant restructuring of the international game on the continent to help it fit better into a packed global calendar. An AFCON every two years was a vital source of revenue for African national associations, but Motsepe said the introduction of an annual African Nations League competition – similar to the UEFA Nations League – would now help boost coffers instead.
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