In a move that will reshape the rhythm of African football, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has decided to return the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a biennial format after a brief experiment with a four‑year cycle. The governing body announced that the next edition of the tournament will take place in 2027, co‑hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Under the new timetable, AFCON will be held again in 2028, followed by tournaments in 2031 and 2033. The decision means that the competition will resume its traditional two‑year cadence, with the 2027 and 2028 editions occurring in consecutive years before the next break.
AFCON has long been Africa’s premier national‑team competition, drawing top talent from across the continent. The 2023 edition was held in Ivory Coast, and the tournament has historically alternated every two years, a pattern that many fans and clubs had come to expect.
Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will share hosting responsibilities for the 2027 tournament, marking the first time that three African nations will jointly stage the event. The trio will provide the infrastructure and venues needed to accommodate the 24‑team competition, which is set to feature matches across several stadiums in the three countries.
CAF’s reversal to a biennial schedule is expected to streamline qualification processes and maintain the tournament’s relevance in an increasingly crowded international football calendar. The decision comes as the confederation looks to strengthen the competition’s commercial appeal and competitive integrity.
<small>Source: Al Jazeera — read the original story there.</small>