Africa Cup Goes Back to a Two-Year Cycle

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), the body that runs football across Africa, has reset the calendar for the continent’s national-team championship. CAF announced on Oct. 29 that its executive committee had unanimously decided to hold the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every two years again, reversing last year’s decision for a four-year cycle.

Reports of CAF’s notice to its member associations say the host race is open again for the 2028, 2031 and 2033 editions.

What CAF Decided on October 29

CAF said the proposed Africa Nations League, a continental competition that was meant to replace AFCON, would need several years before it could raise the money African football needs. CAF President Patrice Motsepe said the decision serves CAF’s 54 member associations and African players employed by clubs outside Africa.

Motsepe said the next AFCON is in 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, followed by 2028, 2031 and 2033. CAF’s July 3 release said the 2027 tournament runs from June 19 to July 17, 2027.

There is no 2030 edition. Motsepe said FIFA, football’s world governing body, has a tradition that a confederation’s final tournament may not be played in a World Cup year, and the next World Cup is in 2030.

The Bidding Calendar

CAF first invited its member associations on July 3 to bid for 2028, 2032 and 2036, using a bidding framework built with the advisory firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). CAF’s new schedule lists 2028, 2031 and 2033 instead of 2032 and 2036.

Reports of the new notice give Tuesday, Nov. 17 as the deadline to declare interest and Tuesday, Dec. 8 for full bids. They also say associations that skipped the first round may now apply, and CAF has not said when the hosts will be chosen.

The Money Side: Broadcast and Sponsor Rights

CAF amended its tender for commercial rights, meaning broadcast and sponsorship deals, on Nov. 2 so it covers AFCON 2028, 2031 and 2033, finals and qualifiers. Bids are due Monday, Nov. 16 at 5 p.m. Cairo time, which is 10 a.m. Eastern time, and CAF first published the tender on July 23.

CAF says the 2025 edition in Morocco drew over 3.2 billion TV viewers and 6 billion digital views. That is CAF’s own figure.

What It Means for US Readers

The winners of the rights will shape where American fans can watch AFCON, as no US broadcaster has been named in the CAF releases we read. Our guide to this week’s qualifiers lists kick-off times in US Eastern time.

What to Watch Next

On Monday, Nov. 16 the tender closes at 10 a.m. Eastern time, and CAF has not said when it will name the partners. The reported deadline for declarations of interest is Tuesday, Nov. 17.

For earlier coverage see our look at the commercial success of AFCON 2025 in Morocco and our Africa coverage. Both give background on the tournament.

What Is Not Known

We do not know which associations will bid, or when CAF will vote on hosts. We also found no US broadcaster named for the tournament.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the next Africa Cup of Nations?

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda host the next AFCON from June 19 to July 17, 2027, according to CAF. The editions after that are planned for 2028, 2031 and 2033.

Why is there no AFCON in 2030?

CAF President Patrice Motsepe said FIFA tradition keeps confederation tournaments out of World Cup years. The next FIFA World Cup is in 2030.

Who can bid to host AFCON 2028, 2031 and 2033?

Reports of CAF’s notice say all 54 member associations may bid.

Sources: Confederation of African Football (CAF) news releases of July 3, Oct. 29 and Nov. 3, 2026 (amendment notice of Nov. 2), at cafonline.com.

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