African football is poised for a significant transformation following the announcement of the African Nations League, a new annual international competition scheduled to launch in 2029. The tournament is expected to become a cornerstone of Africa’s football calendar while also serving as a major commercial driver for the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
CAF president Patrice Motsepe confirmed the plans, describing the African Nations League as a landmark initiative aimed at ensuring top-level international football is staged on the continent every year. According to Motsepe, the competition is designed to bring Africa’s elite players—many of whom ply their trade in Europe—back home regularly, providing fans with consistent access to high-quality matches and boosting the visibility of African football globally.
From its inaugural edition, all 54 CAF member associations will participate in the tournament. The teams will be grouped into four regional zones to streamline travel and enhance regional rivalries. The Northern zone will feature six countries, while the Eastern, Western, and combined Central and Southern zones will each consist of 16 nations. The competition will be played annually during September and October, with matches taking place across the continent.
At the conclusion of the zonal stages, the champions from each region will progress to a final phase scheduled for November. This decisive stage will determine the overall winner of the African Nations League, adding a climactic finish to the annual international calendar. Motsepe emphasised that the structure is intended to deliver the intensity and prestige of a major tournament every single year, effectively offering fans a championship-level experience on a regular basis.
“The African Nations League will be the equivalent of an AFCON every year,” Motsepe explained, highlighting CAF’s ambition to maintain excitement and competitiveness in African international football. He also revealed that the tournament will be organised in collaboration with FIFA, a partnership expected to enhance its credibility, attract top-tier sponsors, and strengthen its global appeal.
Motsepe further stressed the importance of player participation, noting that the new format ensures Africa’s best talents will consistently represent their nations on home soil. By doing so, CAF hopes to deepen fan engagement, grow broadcast audiences, and create a world-class product that benefits national teams, players, and commercial partners alike.
The introduction of the African Nations League is closely tied to CAF’s broader reforms, particularly changes to the scheduling of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). From 2028, AFCON will shift from its traditional two-year cycle to a four-year format, bringing it in line with other major continental tournaments worldwide. This decision was confirmed in Morocco ahead of the opening match of the 35th AFCON, where the host nation was set to face Comoros.
With AFCON becoming less frequent, CAF views the African Nations League as a strategic solution to ensure international football remains vibrant, competitive, and commercially attractive every year. Together, the two competitions are expected to redefine the landscape of African football, balancing tradition with innovation while offering fans more consistent moments of continental pride.
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