AFCON reverts to biennial schedule with 2027 tournament

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will return to its biennial cycle, with the 2027 edition set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its previous decision to move the tournament to a quadrennial format, which would have seen it held every four years.

The announcement comes after the CAF's decision in 2022 to change the tournament's frequency to a four-year cycle, aligning it with the FIFA World Cup schedule. However, the CAF has now decided to revert to the original biennial format, which has been in place since 1968, except for a brief period from 2013 to 2017.

The 2027 AFCON will be the first tournament under the new biennial cycle, with subsequent editions scheduled for 2028, 2031, and 2033. The co-hosting agreement between Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time that three countries will jointly host the tournament.

This decision comes after the CAF's decision to expand the tournament to 24 teams, starting from the 2019 edition. The expansion has allowed for more countries to participate in the tournament, providing a platform for African football to grow and develop.

The CAF has also announced that the 2025 AFCON will be held in Morocco, with the 2029 edition set to be hosted by Guinea. The 2031 and 2033 tournaments will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, with the 2035 edition set to be hosted by Botswana.

This decision to revert to the biennial cycle is expected to have a positive impact on the development of African football, as it will provide more opportunities for countries to compete at the highest level and showcase their talent on the continental stage.