The Confederation of African Football is poised to confirm a return to a two-year cycle for the Africa Cup of Nations, reversing a decision made less than a year ago to move to a four-year cycle. The change is expected to be ratified at a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee. If passed, it would mark a significant shift in the tournament's scheduling, which has been a biennial event almost since its inception in 1957.
The Africa Cup of Nations has a rich history, with the inaugural tournament drawing just three teams and Egypt crowned the first champion. Over the decades, the competition has grown to include 24 teams, but the two-year interval has remained a constant. However, the tournament has faced disruptions, including a change in its window from January-February to June-July, and back again, due to concerns over heat and climate.
The decision to move to a four-year cycle was made in December 2025, with the aim of aligning the tournament with the global football calendar and reducing calendar congestion. However, the move was met with widespread criticism, with many arguing that it would dilute the tournament's significance and role as the heartbeat of African football. The criticism led to a re-evaluation of the decision, with CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe acknowledging that the organization was reviewing the four-year plan.
Dr. Motsepe has been credited with listening to concerns and placing African football at the heart of the conversation. His willingness to revisit the decision has been seen as a positive move, with many stakeholders welcoming the potential return to a biennial cycle. The Africa Cup of Nations is a vital part of African football, providing a platform for nations to showcase their pride and for emerging powers to announce themselves to the world.
A biennial Africa Cup of Nations would sustain the fever of qualification and ensure that a generation of players is not left to idle while the calendar is rearranged around other interests. For federations, it would restore predictability, while for supporters, it would restore the promise that the great gathering is never far away. The tournament's place in the game must always be protected, its stakeholders insist.
The expected ratification of the return to a biennial cycle would mark a significant moment for African football, with many seeing it as a homecoming for the tournament. It would signal that the custodians of the continental game intend to keep its heartbeat strong. The decision would also have commercial implications, with reports indicating that CAF walked away from a commercial rights arrangement valued at around a billion dollars in the wake of the switch to a four-year cycle.
The Africa Cup of Nations has long been a cherished institution in African football, providing a stage for unheralded nations to seize the spotlight and for dynasties to be built and dethroned. Its return to a biennial cycle would be seen as a victory for the fans and for the continent's footballing community, who have been vocal in their opposition to the four-year cycle. The tournament's future looks set to be shaped by the needs and desires of its stakeholders, rather than a desire to optimize its commercial potential.
Key points
- CAF is expected to confirm a return to a two-year cycle for the Africa Cup of Nations.
- The decision to move to a four-year cycle was met with widespread criticism from stakeholders.
- A biennial Africa Cup of Nations would sustain the fever of qualification and ensure that a generation of players is not left to idle.
