CAF U-Turn: AFCON Returns To Two-Year Cycle
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its controversial decision to move the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a four-year cycle, restoring the tournament to its traditional biennial format.
The decision was unanimously approved at Thursday’s CAF Executive Committee meeting, ending uncertainty over the future schedule of Africa’s biggest football competition.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe had earlier hinted that the continental football governing body would reconsider the proposed change during a strategy conference in Cabo Verde.
The initial plan to stage AFCON every four years was part of CAF’s broader proposal to introduce an Africa Nations League, which was expected to take over as the continent’s biennial national team competition.
However, CAF acknowledged that developing the proposed tournament into a financially sustainable and globally competitive competition would require several years.
Explaining the reversal, Motsepe said the decision was taken to protect the interests of African football, CAF’s 54 member associations and African players plying their trade outside the continent.
He noted that waiting several years for the proposed Africa Nations League to deliver the expected financial and developmental benefits could undermine efforts to strengthen the game across Africa.
“The decision by the CAF EXCO that the AFCON should take place every two years was based on advancing, protecting and promoting the interest of African Football and CAF’s 54 Member Associations,” Motsepe said, according to CAF.
The CAF president confirmed that the next AFCON will hold in 2027 across Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, expressing confidence that the three-host tournament would be successful.
He also announced that subsequent editions are scheduled for 2028, 2031 and 2033.
Motsepe explained that the 2030 FIFA World Cup would affect the scheduling of continental national team competitions, as AFCON and other confederation tournaments would not be held during the World Cup year.
He added that AFCON remained an important platform for celebrating Africa’s football heritage, diverse cultures and traditions while bringing together people from the continent and the diaspora.
