Africa Cup of Nations to Transition to Quadrennial Event from 2028

Nairobi: The Africa Cup of Nations, the prestigious mens football tournament, will transition to a quadrennial event starting in 2028, a shift from its previous biennial schedule. Additionally, a new African Nations League will be launched in 2029, marking a significant change in the continents football calendar. According to Ghana News Agency, the announcement was made by CAF president Patrice Motsepe during a news conference in Rabat, Morocco. The decision aims to synchronize the African football calendar more effectively with the global schedule, a move that has been long sought after by various stakeholders in the sport. This change is expected to be well-received by European clubs, which have often been reluctant to release African players for the tournament every two years during their domestic seasons. Previous attempts to host the tournament during summer months have not yielded the desired results, leading to this strategic shift. Motsepe confirmed that the 2027 edition of the Cup, set to be ho sted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, will proceed as initially planned. Following this, the tournament originally planned for 2029 will be advanced to 2028, establishing a new rhythm for the event. Subsequent tournaments will be held every four years, aligning with the cycles of the European Championship and the World Cup. The introduction of the African Nations League in 2029 will further enhance the football scene on the continent. As per Motsepe, all 54 member associations will participate, with matches scheduled for September and October, culminating in a final in November. This new league is set to provide an additional platform for African teams to compete and showcase their talents on an international stage.