AFCON back to every two years: what it means for Bafana Bafana

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be played every two years again. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) executive committee voted unanimously for the change on Thursday, 29 October 2026, reversing its earlier plan to hold the tournament every four years (CAF).

When are the next AFCON tournaments?

CAF has confirmed these hosts and years (CAF):

CAF says the final tournament of AFCON may not take place in a FIFA World Cup year, in line with FIFA tradition, which is why 2030 is skipped (CAF).

Why did CAF change its mind?

Under the plan agreed last December, AFCON would have moved to a four-year cycle, with a new Africa Nations League becoming the continent's competition every two years (Reuters via The Star).

CAF now says that Nations League would need several years before it could bring in the money needed for African football and CAF competitions to be globally competitive and self-supporting. CAF president Patrice Motsepe, who first said the decision would be reviewed at a CAF strategy conference in Cabo Verde from 7 to 9 October, said the vote was "in the best interest of African Football and CAF's 54 Member Associations" (CAF).

What does it mean for Bafana Bafana?

Bafana's current qualifying campaign is for AFCON 2027. They started with a 2-1 win over Guinea and a 5-0 win over Eritrea, leaving them on six points from two Group D games (DFA).

Coach Pitso Mosimane has named a 31-player preliminary squad for the double-header (ESPN). Venues and kick-off times had not been confirmed in the sources we checked. Check SAFA for official updates.

With a tournament in 2028 as well, the decision means another AFCON comes around only a year after 2027, rather than the long wait the four-year plan would have meant.