The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is set to reconsider its decision to host the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, a move that was met with widespread criticism within the continent. According to reports, CAF's 54 member associations will discuss reinstating the traditional two-year cycle during a strategic conference in Cape Verde, with a vote to be taken by the CAF executive committee.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe confirmed that the possibility of hosting the tournament every two years is being studied. The decision to switch to a four-year cycle was announced in December 2025, with the new format set to begin from the 2028 edition, following the 2027 tournament scheduled for Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. However, this move was met with opposition from several national associations and African officials.
The reversal of CAF's decision is attributed to rising tensions between FIFA and UEFA, with CAF officials realizing that hosting the AFCON every four years is no longer necessary. An unnamed member of the CAF executive committee stated that the decision to reduce the number of tournament editions was made with European football interests in mind. However, the current dispute between FIFA and UEFA has changed the circumstances that led to the initial decision.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino was a key proponent of hosting the AFCON every four years, citing the need to minimize conflicts with European club competitions and the international calendar. The issue is being debated as Infantino seeks to secure support for his re-election as FIFA president in March 2027.
CAF's decision to reconsider the AFCON's hosting cycle has significant implications for the tournament's commercial aspects. A previous investigation revealed that CAF abandoned a potential commercial deal worth $1 billion over eight years due to the change in hosting cycle. The organization had made significant progress in negotiations for marketing and sponsorship rights before deciding to alter the tournament's schedule.
The decision to change the AFCON's hosting cycle also sparked controversy within CAF regarding its approval process. Several national association presidents claimed they were not consulted before the announcement and that the change was not put to a vote by the general assembly.
If CAF decides to return to the two-year cycle, it will need to reorganize its competition schedule and commercial plans. The Africa Cup of Nations remains CAF's primary source of revenue, and the organization aims to offset the reduction in tournament editions by launching the African Nations League from 2029.
Key points
- CAF may reverse its decision to host the Africa Cup of Nations every four years amid rising tensions between FIFA and UEFA.
- The organization will discuss reinstating the traditional two-year cycle during a strategic conference in Cape Verde.
- CAF's decision has significant implications for the tournament's commercial aspects and competition schedule.
