The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is still ironing out the details for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2028, and there’s a lot of talk about both the timing of the tournament and its qualification schedule as the confederation transitions to a new competition cycle.
Reports suggest CAF has yet to set official dates for the 2028 AFCON qualifiers or the tournament itself, with discussions ongoing at the executive level about how to fit the competition into an already congested international calendar.
According to Moroccan outlet Elbotola, the issue is expected to be addressed at upcoming CAF meetings as the governing body reshapes its long-term schedule.
This uncertainty comes after CAF confirmed in December 2025 that the AFCON will move from a biennial to a four-year cycle starting with the 2028 edition. Announced by CAF president Patrice Motsepe in Rabat, the decision is part of a broader effort to harmonize African football’s calendar with global competitions and reduce scheduling conflicts.
Under the current plan, AFCON 2027 will go ahead in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda as scheduled, before the new cycle begins with the 2028 tournament, which will be the first edition in the new format.
CAF is also preparing to launch an African Nations League from 2029, complicating even more the continental calendar and increasing the need for careful scheduling of qualifiers and finals tournaments.
No show like an African show. 🌍
Idris Elba. Voice, rhythm, presence.
The #TotalEnergiesAFCON2025 closing ceremony. Just different. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/lLJXmzR7I0— CAF Online (@CAF_Online) February 9, 2026
Calendar clashes create complications
Finding the right dates for AFCON 2028 has proven difficult. Holding the tournament in January would come only months after the summer-scheduled 2027 edition, but a summer slot in 2028 would clash with the UEFA Euro 2028 and the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Any postponement into late 2028 or even 2029 could create new conflicts with other competitions, including the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. It seems to be a difficult balancing act to try and reinvent their entire competition structure.
CAF hasn’t officially named a host for AFCON 2028 yet, but the race is heating up. There are some interesting bids on the table, most notably a joint southern African proposal spearheaded by Botswana and South Africa.
For now, CAF’s priority remains finalising the international calendar beyond 2027 and clarifying how the new four-year AFCON cycle will operate in practice.
Decisions taken in upcoming executive meetings are expected to determine whether the 2028 tournament keeps its planned slot or is shifted to accommodate the crowded global football schedule.
