The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced a major overhaul of its flagship tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations, on Saturday, with the biennial competition set to switch to a four-year cycle. The move comes as part of the creation of the African Nations League, a new continental competition that will see top teams from across Africa compete in a biennial tournament.

According to Patrice Motsepe, the president of CAF, the 2027 Africa Cup, scheduled to be hosted by Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, will proceed as planned, while the following edition, originally set for 2029, will be moved forward to take place in 2027. The decision was made during a news conference held in Rabat, Morocco, ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which is currently underway.

Motsepe emphasized the need for a more sustainable and competitive format, stating, "We believe that the African Nations League will provide a more competitive and engaging format for our fans, while also allowing us to better manage the logistics and resources required to host the tournament." The African Nations League is set to debut in 2024, with the inaugural edition featuring 24 teams divided into four groups.

The Africa Cup of Nations has been a cornerstone of African football for over 60 years, with the tournament having been held every two years since its inception in 1957. However, the competition has faced criticism in recent years for its congested schedule, which has led to player fatigue and a decrease in competitiveness.

The creation of the African Nations League is seen as a major step forward for African football, with many experts hailing the move as a positive development for the sport on the continent. "This is a significant moment for African football, and we believe that the African Nations League will provide a new era of competition and excitement for our fans," said Motsepe.

The switch to a four-year cycle for the Africa Cup of Nations is also expected to have a positive impact on the tournament's global profile, with many experts predicting that the competition will become more attractive to international fans. "The Africa Cup of Nations has always been a highly anticipated event, but with the new format, we expect to see even more interest from fans around the world," said a spokesperson for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is currently underway in Morocco, with the final set to take place on January 19. The tournament is expected to be a major showcase for the new format, with many teams competing in the African Nations League set to feature in the competition.

In the coming months, CAF will work closely with its member associations to implement the new format, with the inaugural edition of the African Nations League set to take place in 2024. The switch to a four-year cycle for the Africa Cup of Nations is expected to have a significant impact on the tournament's schedule, with many teams set to benefit from the increased break between competitions.