The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is reconsidering its decision to hold the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, with President Patrice Motsepe saying the tournament could return to a two-year cycle.
Motsepe disclosed this on Friday during a press conference at CAF’s three-day strategy conference in Cape Verde.
“We are looking into bringing AFCON back to every two years.
"That’s under review,” he said, according to The Associated Press.
CAF announced in December 2025 that the competition would move from a two-year cycle to a four-year schedule beginning after the 2028 edition.
The decision was intended to bring AFCON closer to the international football calendar and reduce clashes between national-team matches and European club competitions.
However, the change attracted criticism from some African football stakeholders, who argued that it could reduce opportunities for African teams and weaken the competition’s importance.
Motsepe rejected suggestions that CAF had made the decision under pressure from FIFA, football’s world governing body, or UEFA, its European counterpart.
Describing such claims as “nonsense, absolute rubbish,” he insisted that CAF’s decisions were guided by African interests.
“My No. 1 job, my No. 1 duty is to protect, promote, and advance the interests of Africa,” Motsepe said.
He added that CAF had discussed the issue in recent days and was reviewing all options, including restoring the biennial format.
No final decision has been announced.
CAF had also planned to introduce an African Nations League in 2029 to provide a major national-team competition in years without AFCON or the World Cup.
Meanwhile, Motsepe reaffirmed that the 2027 AFCON would take place as planned in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, despite reports of delays in preparations.
“You have to believe in Africa.
"There will be problems, there will be failures, fine, but we will be there.
"That’s what Mandela taught us,” he said.
Comments
Add a comment