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President of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), Dr Patrice Motsepe, has announced that the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be held every four years, beginning after the 2027 edition to be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
Dr. Motsepe made the announcement after a CAF Executive Committee meeting on Saturday in Rabat, ahead of the 35th AFCON scheduled to kick off on Sunday in Morocco.
The AFCON has been held every two years since 1968, except for a one-year gap between the 2012 and 2013 editions.
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CAF had previously opposed a four-year AFCON cycle proposed by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, due to the significant revenue the tournament generates for the federation.
CAF has also long been at odds with European clubs over the timing of AFCON, which traditionally takes place in the middle of the European football season.
“We have the most exciting new structure for African football,” Motsepe said. “I do what is in the interests of Africa. The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised.”
Motsepe said the decision was taken in consultation with Infantino and FIFA Secretary-General Mattias Grafström.
He explained that the African Nations League would feature all 54 CAF member associations, divided into four zones: six nations in the Northern zone, and 16 nations each in the Eastern, Western and Central, and Southern zones.
According to him, the league will be “the equivalent of an AFCON every year” and would be organised in partnership with FIFA to attract top-class sponsors.
“Every year in Africa, the best African players who play in Europe will be with us on the continent,” he added.
“Every year, we will have a competition involving 54 African nations with all the best players coming to play. We are going to have a world-class competition every year.”