After a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations which delivered more goals than ever before but saw controversy mar the final, fans can look forward to two more editions in quick succession in 2027 and 2028 – even if the exact dates of those tournaments, and who will host the latter, are yet to be announced.
After that Afcon will be hosted every four years instead of biennially.
Confederation of African Football (Caf) president Patrice Motespe dropped that bombshell on the eve of the recently completed finals in Morocco, as well as announcing the creation of a new African Nations League which will be introduced in 2029 and played annually.
The decision was made after consultation with world governing body Fifa and the announcement sparked division and debate, with Mali coach Tom Saintfiet labelling it “totally wrong”.
However, Motsepe has doubled down, stating that Caf is “convinced” the decision is in “the best interests of African football”.
He also believes the Nations League will provide a “better competition” than Afcon.
BBC Sport Africa explores some of the key topics of discussion surrounding the changes.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino first publicly proposed holding Afcon every four years in February 2020, an idea Motsepe rejected after he was elected as Caf president 13 months later.
“This is one area where there are different views among different people – I have no doubt it [Afcon] has to be every two years,” Motsepe said then.
One respected former manager, with extensive experience across the continent, said Infantino “wants to kill African football”.
With the Fifa World Cup expanded to 48 teams and nine African sides guaranteed spots, the Swiss has clearly turned Motsepe to his way of thinking on Afcon over the past five years.
Motsepe’s argument now is that Caf had to compromise to help make the global calendar “significantly more synchronised and harmonised”.
Yet the South African reacted spikily after facing accusations from some members of the media that Fifa, not Caf, runs the African game.
“We have got to move on from this inferiority complex,” he said.
“What saddens me is Europeans and Fifa people have more respect for us than some of our own people [in Africa].
“At times you need to make concessions. Sometimes we have to take unpopular decisions.”
