The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially postponed the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to 2027. The decision was made to avoid a scheduling conflict with the newly expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which is scheduled for June and July 2026 in the United States.
Originally, the 2026 AFCON was set to be hosted by Morocco. With the postponement, Morocco is now expected to host the tournament in 2027. The exact dates for the 2027 tournament have not yet been finalized by CAF.
This marks the second consecutive time the AFCON has been moved from its traditional schedule. The 2025 edition is still scheduled to be held in Morocco, maintaining the tournament's biennial cycle, albeit now shifted to odd-numbered years.
The postponement has significant implications for football calendars, affecting player availability for both national teams and clubs. CAF President Patrice Motsepe stated the decision was necessary after extensive consultations with FIFA and other stakeholders to ensure the global football calendar's integrity.
