• The Africa Cup of Nations will now be held every four years starting from 2028.
• A new African Nations League will commence in 2029, including all 54 African nations.
• The changes were announced by CAF president Patrice Motsepe during a press conference.
• The 2027 Africa Cup will still occur as planned in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
• The changes aim to improve the financial sustainability of African football.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a significant overhaul of African football, marking a transition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a four-year cycle starting in 2028, as stated by CAF President Patrice Motsepe. Previously held biennially since its inception in 1968, this change aims to better align with the global football calendar, while keeping the upcoming 2027 edition in East Africa intact according to BBC, Al Jazeera, and Le Monde.

Motsepe emphasized that the first African Nations League will be held in 2029, featuring a structure that encompasses all 54 member countries divided into geographical zones. Matches are scheduled for September and October, culminating in finals held in November, enhancing competitive opportunities within the continent according to Africa News. “What is new is that ... in Africa there’s going to be a competition every year where the best African players who play in Europe and worldwide will be with us on the continent,” Motsepe remarked.

This restructuring indicates a move towards fostering better financial growth within African soccer frameworks. Previously, AFCON served as a major revenue source due to its biennial nature, but the new annual league could diversify and boost revenue potential according to Africa News, Africanews, and Al Jazeera.