The Africa Cup of Nations could continue to be played every two years after CAF opened discussions on reversing its planned shift to a four-year tournament cycle.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe confirmed the review on Friday during the confederation’s strategy conference in Cape Verde, saying officials were considering several options for the future scheduling of Africa’s flagship national-team competition.
Motsepe said discussions had taken place over the previous few days and that CAF was examining the possibility of restoring the traditional two-year format.
The review comes months after the continental governing body announced in December 2025 that AFCON would move to a four-year cycle following the 2027 tournament in East Africa and a 2028 edition.
The proposed change attracted widespread criticism from across the continent, with national football associations expressing concerns about its potential impact on the development and visibility of their national teams.
AFCON has been staged every two years since 1968, apart from the transition between the 2012 and 2013 tournaments, when the competition was held in consecutive years as part of a calendar adjustment.
The biennial format has provided African national teams with regular opportunities to compete for continental honours, while giving host countries, sponsors and broadcasters recurring opportunities to benefit from one of the continent’s biggest sporting events.
A shift to a four-year cycle would significantly reduce the frequency of the tournament, raising questions about its commercial value and the opportunities available to players and participating nations.
National associations have also questioned how a four-year schedule would affect the position of African football within the international calendar, where national-team competitions must compete for space alongside global tournaments and domestic league commitments.
The proposed change has been particularly significant for countries that rely on AFCON participation to strengthen their football programmes, attract commercial investment and raise the profile of their national teams.
The 2027 edition is scheduled to be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, marking a major regional undertaking for East African football. The subsequent 2028 edition was included in CAF’s previously announced transition plan.
Motsepe’s latest comments indicate that the governing body is reconsidering the implications of its proposed calendar changes amid continuing debate among football stakeholders.
However, the discussions do not amount to a formal reversal of the earlier decision, and CAF has not yet confirmed whether the biennial format will be retained.
The outcome of the review is expected to be significant for national associations, players, commercial partners and supporters as African football seeks a tournament schedule that balances competitive opportunities, commercial interests and the demands of the international game.
