The African Cup of Nations (Afcon) will return to its traditional two-year cycle after a U-turn from the Confederation of African Football (Caf).
In December, Caf announced that the tournament would be held every four years instead, but that decision has been reversed following a review. Under the earlier plans, the governing body had intended to introduce an African Nations League to replace Afcon as its biennial tournament. However, Caf acknowledged that it would take several years to generate the revenue required to become self-sufficient.
Caf president Patrice Motsepe said the decision by the Executive Committee to reinstate the biennial Afcon "aims to advance, protect and promote the interests of African football and the 54 Caf Member Associations, as well as those of African players playing for clubs outside the continent."
The biennial hosting of Afcon has long caused problems with the football calendar, with most recent tournaments held midway through the European club season. Fifa's expanded 32-team Club World Cup, held in June and July this year, also forced Caf to opt for mid-season dates. The next Afcon will take place in 2027, jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, followed by editions in 2028, 2031 and 2033. There will be no tournament in 2030 because of the World Cup.
The 2025 Afcon final was dramatic, with Senegal crowned champions before they were stripped of the title three months later in favour of Morocco.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing