BREAKING: CAF Introduces New AFCON Format and African Nations League

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced major changes to the continental football calendar, marking a historic shift in the organization of national team competitions.

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe confirmed that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will transition to a four-year cycle, starting after the 2028 edition. The announcement was made following a CAF Executive Committee meeting in Rabat, Morocco.

AFCON, Africa’s flagship football tournament, has traditionally been staged every two years since its inception in 1957, when the first edition was hosted by Sudan. Under the new structure, the tournament will still be held in 2027 and 2028, before moving to a four-year cycle, with the next AFCON scheduled for 2032.

Motsepe also revealed that prize money for the tournament winners will increase from USD 7 million to USD 10 million, a move aimed at boosting competitiveness and rewarding excellence across African football.

In another landmark development, CAF confirmed the introduction of a new African Nations League (ANL), set to begin in 2029. The competition will be held annually, providing regular competitive fixtures for national teams across the continent.

According to Motsepe, the African Nations League will be played during FIFA international windows in September and October, with the finals taking place every November. Participating teams will be divided into four regions, with six teams in the North African zone and 16 teams each in the other three regions.

The announcement comes ahead of the 2025 AFCON, which kicks off on Sunday with Comoros facing hosts Morocco, and represents CAF’s broader efforts to modernize African football, align competitions with the global calendar, and enhance the commercial and sporting value of its tournaments.