Format of CAF's New African Nations League Tournament

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the introduction of a new tournament, the African Nations League. The competition will feature all 54 CAF member associations, divided into four geographical zones: North Africa, East Africa, West Africa, and Central and Southern Africa. Each zone will stage its own group phase, with teams facing each other during the September and October international windows. These matches will serve as the first layer of qualification.

The top-ranked team from each zone will advance to the final phase, scheduled for November. The four regional winners will compete in a compact showdown to determine the overall African Nations League champion. The tournament will officially start in 2029 and will be played during the September, October, and November international windows. However, it is not yet known whether the new competition will be held on a biennial or annual basis.

According to CAF, the organization will partner with FIFA on the African Nations League. Meanwhile, the new tournament will replace the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which has been scrapped. The African Nations League aims to provide more competitive opportunities for national teams and strengthen football development across all CAF regions.