African Nations League to Debut in 2029 as AFCON Switches to Four-Year Cycle.
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) — Africa’s most prestigious national football championship will undergo its biggest format change in decades, shifting from a biennial to a quadrennial (four-year) cycle starting after the 2028 edition, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced on the eve of the 2025 AFCON tournament in Morocco that the biennial schedule which had stood since 1957; will be replaced with a four-year cycle beginning after the 2028 AFCON. This means the world’s top African players and nations will compete in the next tournaments in 2032, 2036, and beyond under the new quadrennial format.
This change aligns AFCON with other major international competitions such as the UEFA European Championship and Copa America, giving CAF and national associations more time for planning, host preparation, and marketing.
The decision was framed as part of a broader plan to reduce calendar congestion especially for Africa’s elite players who ply their trade in top European leagues and to better align with FIFA’s global football calendar.
African Nations League: New Annual Continental Competition
To fill the competitive gap left by AFCON’s extended cycle, CAF is launching the African Nations League — a new continental tournament designed to feature all 54 CAF member nations in a structured annual competition beginning in 2029.
The African Nations League will be staged during the September–October international windows, with regional league phases followed by finals in November. Officials say this format is intended to ensure that African national teams have regular high-quality fixtures, provide additional revenue opportunities, and keep stars playing for their countries each year.
CAF also confirmed a boost in AFCON prize money, with the champions set to earn $10 million in upcoming editions. Up from the previous $7 million prize reflecting the governing body’s drive for stronger financial sustainability.
A New Era for African Football
CAF’s decision has drawn mixed reactions across the continent. Some fans welcome the reduction in yearly fatigue and scheduling conflicts with European clubs, while others remain nostalgic for the longstanding tradition of AFCON every two years.
Stay with Hot Sports Scoops for exclusive Nigerian-focused sports coverage — home and abroad.