The decision to move the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from a two-year timeframe to a four-year cycle has brought shockwaves to the continent.

Patrice Motsepe, the president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), made the announcement regarding the latest set of alterations in Rabat, Morocco.

This announcement occurred on Saturday, December 20, 2025.

Speaking in a presser before the commencement of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), Motsepe revealed strategic plans that his administration has for African football.

He said: “We have the most exciting new structure for African football.”

The 63-year-old also indicated that his actions are all tailored towards the “interests of Africa”.

The major shift in schedule also has a bearing on the synchronisation and harmonisation of the global calendar.

AFCON has been held biannually since 1968, with a one-year gap between the 2012 and 2013 editions.

For purists, the change will not hit them instantaneously. The switch from a two-year cycle to a four-year interval will not occur until 2032.

The upcoming 2027 edition in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania will go down as scheduled.

Meanwhile, a subsequent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament will take place just a year after, in 2028.

Over the years, there have been issues surrounding the hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations. This is especially true at the heart of the traditional footballing season in Europe (January–February).

Several calls have been made for the tournament to be shifted from the midway point of the season to the summer.

Nevertheless, CAF had persistently resisted making those changes.

The January–February window particularly remained unchanged because African fans had become accustomed to the timing. Therefore, it has become part of the fabric of football on the continent.

Weather concerns have also been spotlighted as part of the reasons why the continental showpiece is played at the midway point of the European season.

Some Africans might ask: Is it a European tournament? Why should one continent bend to the whims and caprices of another?

Others might reply that, given the fact that a huge number of African stars play in Europe, all parties involved must dialogue on the way forward.

CAF temporarily opted to move the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), held in Egypt, to the summer. This was part of plans to introduce new changes to the timing. However, the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 forced them to reverse their plans.

Given that FIFA’s expanded and refurbished 32-team Club World Cup was held in June and July this year, CAF also has had no choice.

They had to put the AFCON at the midway point of the season.

Essentially, that meant the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will be held over Christmas and the New Year for the first time in history.

The tournament is slated to be played between December 21, 2025, and January 18, 2026.

Moreover, it is pertinent to note that from the year 2032 onward, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be in the same year as the European Championships.

CAF president Patrice Motsepe categorically made it known that the decision to move the competition to a four-year cycle was influenced by FIFA.

Notably, president Gianni Infantino and Mattias Grafström were highlighted.

The prize money for winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been increased from £5.2 million to £7.5 million.

African Nations League

In conclusion, Patrice Motsepe also disclosed that an African Nations League will take place from 2029.

It will be a yearly competition and it is in partnership with FIFA, the governing body of football.

The arrangement will see countries divided into four regional zones. Six teams will be placed in the Northern zone.

Sixteen nations will be placed in the Eastern, Western, Central, and Southern zones.