CAF Lays Out Plan for African Nations League as New Calendar Takes Shape

It’s a huge shift from the system African football has known for years.

Rabat- African football is entering a period of big changes and CAF has started to clarify how its new African Nations League will work. The new competition is part of a broader reshaping of the calendar, following the decision to move the Africa Cup of Nations to a four-year cycle from 2028.

Speaking in Morocco during preparations for the upcoming AFCON finals, CAF president Patrice Motsepe explained that the African Nations League will start after the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup and will include all 54 national teams.

The format will be based on geography. Teams will be split into four zones, with each zone producing a winner. Those four teams will then meet in a final tournament in November to decide the overall champion. CAF has confirmed the tournament will be held every two years, with the host for the final phase to be announced later.

The idea is similar to UEFA’s Nations League: give national teams meaningful matches outside of major tournaments while keeping everything within the international calendar.

CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, 🇲🇦 Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita and FRMF President Fouzi Lekjaa, inaugurated the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 Fan Zone at the Université Internationale de Rabat, sharing the excitement with students from over 45 countries… pic.twitter.com/ZWiQjzoFou

— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) December 20, 2025

CHAN cancelled to make way

One of the biggest changes is the end of the African Nations Championship (CHAN). First launched in 2009, CHAN will be phased out as part of the new structure.

CAF says the overhaul is meant to ease pressure on players and federations, improve scheduling, and raise the overall level of competition. By aligning more closely with FIFA windows, the governing body hopes teams will have better access to their full squads more often.

More details on formats and qualifications are expected soon, as CAF continues to roll out its plans for the next cycle.