The Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Committee has approved a new competitions calendar covering the 2026 to 2030 period, providing African football with a longer-term framework for international tournaments, club competitions and other major events.
The decision represents an important step in CAF’s efforts to bring greater structure and predictability to the continental football calendar, particularly for national associations and clubs that must balance domestic competitions with international commitments.
The four-year calendar was approved during a CAF Executive Committee meeting chaired by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe. The framework covers a wide range of competitions involving men’s, women’s and youth football, as well as specialised formats of the game.
A longer-term roadmap for African football
Rather than planning competitions largely on a year-to-year basis, CAF’s approved 2026–2030 calendar provides stakeholders with a broader view of when major continental tournaments are expected to take place.
The calendar covers flagship competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations, Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, U-17 Africa Cup of Nations and U-23 Africa Cup of Nations.
It also incorporates futsal and beach soccer competitions, alongside the growing portfolio of CAF competitions.
One of the notable developments in the wider calendar is the inclusion of the African Nations League, a competition designed to provide another major platform for senior national teams during periods when there is no FIFA World Cup.
The longer planning cycle could assist national associations with player management, technical preparation, travel arrangements and coordination with domestic leagues.
CAF interclub competitions also receive greater clarity
The approved calendar also provides a longer-term framework for CAF’s club competitions, including the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup.
For the 2026/27 season, the preliminary rounds of both competitions began in September, with the group stages scheduled to take place between November 2026 and January 2027.
The knockout stages are scheduled to follow in February and April 2027, before the finals are played during the 9–31 May 2027 period.
The scheduling is particularly important for clubs competing on multiple fronts. Teams involved in domestic leagues and cup competitions will have to manage their squads around continental travel and match commitments.
For African clubs, greater advance notice can also help with logistical planning, stadium arrangements, player registration and preparation for potentially demanding continental campaigns.
AFCON 2027 remains a major landmark
The 2026–2030 framework places the Africa Cup of Nations at the centre of CAF’s international football programme.
The next AFCON finals are scheduled to be hosted jointly by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027. The tournament will bring together Africa’s leading national teams for one of the continent’s biggest sporting events.
The 2027 tournament will also be closely watched in Southern Africa, with national teams across the COSAFA region continuing their preparations for continental qualification and international competition.
For supporters, the confirmed long-term framework means there will be greater visibility around the major tournaments that shape the African football calendar.
South Africa set for another major CAF occasion
South Africa will also feature prominently in CAF’s upcoming calendar.
CAF has confirmed that Tshwane will host the 2027 CAF Super Cup, bringing together the winners of the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup. Mamelodi Sundowns are set to face USM Alger in the fixture after Sundowns won the Champions League and USM Alger secured the Confederation Cup.
The event will add another major CAF occasion to South Africa’s football calendar and provide local supporters with the opportunity to watch continental champions compete for another title on home soil.
For South African football, the development is particularly significant given the country’s established role in hosting major CAF tournaments and its strong representation in continental club competitions.
What the calendar means for clubs and national teams
A longer CAF calendar can have practical benefits beyond simply confirming tournament dates.
National teams can plan training camps and international programmes further in advance, while clubs can better anticipate periods when key players may be away on international duty.
Broadcasters and commercial partners also gain greater visibility over major football properties, while host countries have more time to prepare venues, transport systems, accommodation and security arrangements.
Supporters stand to benefit as well, particularly those planning international travel to follow their national teams or clubs.
CAF has indicated that the calendar is subject to adjustments when necessary. Any changes to the officially issued schedule will be communicated to the relevant CAF member associations.
A changing landscape for African football
CAF’s decision comes at a time when African football continues to expand across different levels of the game.
The continental body is developing established competitions while introducing and strengthening additional properties for national teams, women’s football, youth football and specialised formats.
The challenge will be ensuring that the increasingly busy calendar remains manageable for players, clubs and national associations.
Player workload, domestic league scheduling, international windows and travel demands will remain important considerations as CAF implements the new framework.
For African football, however, having a four-year roadmap provides a foundation from which those challenges can be managed with greater planning and coordination.
What happens next?
The approval of the 2026–2030 calendar gives CAF’s 54 member associations and other stakeholders a clearer picture of the years ahead.
The immediate focus will remain on the competitions already underway or approaching, including the 2026/27 CAF interclub season and preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
As the continental football calendar continues to evolve, the success of the new framework will ultimately depend on how effectively CAF, national associations, clubs and other stakeholders coordinate their respective competitions.
For supporters across Africa, the message is clear: the continent’s football calendar is becoming more structured, more expansive and increasingly important on the global stage.
Our Soccer Updates will continue to follow the CAF competitions calendar, South African clubs in continental competition and the progress of African national teams.
Source: CAF
