CAF President Patrice Motsepe said on Friday, October 9, that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is considering returning to a two-year cycle for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), potentially reversing a reform announced less than a year ago.
“We are considering restoring the biennial AFCON cycle. This matter is under review,” Motsepe told attendees at a strategic meeting organized by CAF in Cape Verde.
The statement came after British newspaper The Guardian reported that plans to hold AFCON every four years could be abandoned because of several obstacles, including economic concerns.
Motsepe had announced the proposed change last December, on the eve of AFCON Morocco 2025. The plan was to move to a four-year cycle from 2028, alongside the introduction of an African Nations League. The proposal drew mixed reactions and had not won unanimous support.
CAF’s Executive Committee is expected to examine the issue before making a final decision on the future schedule of the continental competition. No official decision has been announced.
The next AFCON is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027, in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. Under the original plan, the following editions were due to be held in 2028 and 2032.
A return to a two-year cycle would require CAF to revise its calendar. The governing body has yet to decide whether to abandon the four-year format announced last December.
Patrice Motsepe suit les préparatifs à Nairobi
