CAF reverses four-year AFCON plan and retains biennial tournament

The Confederation of African Football has reversed its decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations every four years, retaining a two-year cycle for its leading national-team competition. BBC Sport Africa reported that CAF's executive committee voted to restore the existing format after the governing body asked its 54 member associations whether they preferred the proposed change or the original schedule.

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CAF president Patrice Motsepe had announced the four-year plan in December, ahead of the 2025 finals in Morocco, with the switch intended to take effect from 2028. He had presented it partly as a way to align the international football calendar more closely. AFCON's place during the European club season has repeatedly brought disputes over the release of African players. The original decision was taken by the executive committee without being put before a general assembly of all members, according to the BBC report.

Motsepe said the reversal served African football's interests and would support its development. He also acknowledged concerns about how quickly a proposed Africa Nations League could generate significant funding. That competition had initially been presented as an annual event involving all 54 countries, intended to broaden CAF's income beyond its reliance on AFCON. Motsepe indicated it could take several years to deliver the financial and development contributions envisaged.

The financial stakes are considerable. BBC Sport Africa reported that Morocco 2025 had been projected to produce $192 million in revenue, accounting for 66% of CAF's competition revenue across men's, women's and age-group football. Forecast profit for that edition was $114 million, compared with $75 million for the preceding finals in Ivory Coast. Those figures were projections for Morocco, not confirmation of final returns.

The next AFCON is scheduled for Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027. CAF has also retained the 2028 tournament that formed part of its earlier transition plan, although its host and exact dates have not yet been announced. Subsequent editions are set for 2031 and 2033 to avoid World Cup clashes, meaning the immediate schedule will not follow uniform two-year intervals.

The Africa Nations League remains proposed for a September 2029 launch. According to BBC Sport Africa, Motsepe's latest statement suggests it would run every two years rather than annually. How its fixtures would fit alongside AFCON from 2031 remains unresolved, leaving calendar questions outstanding despite the decision to abandon the four-year AFCON model.