RABAT, Morocco — The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled sweeping reforms to African international football, including a shift of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a four-year cycle from 2028, the introduction of an African Nations League, and a significant increase in AFCON prize money.
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe announced the changes following a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO) in Morocco, ahead of the opening of AFCON 2025 in Rabat. The announcements were first highlighted by sports journalist Usher Komugisha.
Four-Year AFCON Cycle
AFCON, Africa’s premier football tournament, has traditionally been staged every two years since 1968, except for a one-year gap between 2012 and 2013. Under the new structure, the biennial format will end after the 2027 edition, co-hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Subsequent tournaments will occur every four years: 2028, 2032, 2036, and beyond.
“We have the most exciting new structure for African football. I do what is in the interests of Africa. The global calendar has to be significantly more synchronised and harmonised,” Motsepe said.
African Nations League
As part of CAF’s reforms, the African Nations League will begin in 2029 and run annually during FIFA international windows in September, October, and November. The competition will involve all 54 CAF member associations, divided into four zones: Northern (6 teams), and Eastern, Western, Central, and Southern (16 teams each). Regional champions will advance to a final stage in November to determine an overall winner.
Motsepe described the league as “the equivalent of an AFCON every year,” adding that the tournament will be organised in partnership with FIFA to attract top-tier sponsors and enhance commercial revenues.
Increased AFCON Prize Money
CAF also announced that the AFCON 2025 winners will receive USD 10 million, a 43 percent increase from the 2023 tournament in Côte d’Ivoire, where champions took home USD 7 million, and double the USD 5 million awarded in 2021. The runners-up will earn USD 4 million, while semi-finalists will each receive USD 2.5 million.
“This historic increase in prize money reflects our commitment to growing African football and making CAF competitions more competitive and commercially attractive,” Motsepe said.
The reforms represent one of the most significant overhauls of African football in decades, aiming to align CAF competitions with the global football calendar, expand opportunities for regular competitive fixtures, and enhance the financial and commercial appeal of African tournaments.