The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially unveiled the African Nations League, a brand new annual competition aimed at showcasing Africa’s top national teams and players. The announcement, made by CAF President Patrice Motsepe in Rabat, marks a major restructure in African football, alongside changes to the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) calendar.
What Is the African Nations League?
The African Nations League is set to be an annual senior national team tournament, designed to give CAF member nations more competitive fixtures outside the AFCON cycle. CAF describes it as a “world-class senior national team competition” that will feature the best African players, including stars based in top international leagues.
This competition is part of CAF’s broader strategy to provide more regular, meaningful football for national teams, increase exposure for African players, and boost commercial opportunities for the continent’s football ecosystem.
Structure and Timing
While CAF has confirmed the launch, the inaugural season is expected to kick off in 2029. The tournament will reportedly feature all 54 CAF member associations, organized into regional groups across North, East, West, Central, and Southern Africa.
Matches are expected to take place during FIFA international windows, with a finals phase determining the annual champion. By structuring the league this way, CAF aims to align with the global football calendar while reducing conflicts with major club competitions.
AFCON Calendar Restructure
The African Nations League is closely linked to CAF’s decision to move AFCON to a four-year cycle, starting after the 2028 edition. Previously held every two years, AFCON’s shift creates a gap in the football calendar, which the new league will now fill.
According to CAF, this ensures that African national team football remains exciting and competitive every year, keeping fans engaged even in AFCON off-years.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe highlighted that the league would offer “an annual platform for Africa’s best players to compete at the highest level,” reinforcing the continent’s growing influence in world football.