CAF reopens debate over returning Africa Cup of Nations to two-year cycle

The Confederation of African Football is reconsidering plans to move the Africa Cup of Nations to a four-year cycle, with president Dr Patrice Motsepe revealing that a return to a biennial tournament is now under review.

Motsepe disclosed the development during the CAF Strategy Conference in Cape Verde, where football leaders from across Africa discussed the future direction of the sport on the continent.

The frequency of the Africa Cup of Nations was among the issues examined at the conference. Motsepe’s comments suggest CAF is prepared to revisit its earlier decision, made only months ago, to reduce how often Africa’s leading men’s national-team competition is held.

Under the original plan, the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which is scheduled to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, would be followed by another edition in 2028. The tournament would then move to a four-year schedule.

CAF had also intended to launch a new African Nations League in 2029. That competition was designed to provide African national teams with another major fixture in the international calendar after the Africa Cup of Nations became less frequent.

The proposed changes had drawn criticism from sections of the African football community. Concerns centred on the effect of staging the continent’s flagship national-team tournament less often and the potential consequences for teams, players and the wider African football structure.

Motsepe’s latest remarks indicate that CAF is now willing to reconsider the format after further discussions with football leaders. He also reflected on the process that had initially led to the decision to introduce a four-year cycle.

However, the CAF president did not announce a formal reversal of the earlier plan. He also gave no indication of when the review would be completed.

A return to a two-year schedule would require CAF to reassess its wider competition calendar, including the proposed African Nations League in 2029. The relationship between that competition and the timing of future Africa Cup of Nations tournaments would also have to be reconsidered.

For now, the biennial format remains a possibility rather than an agreed change. CAF’s next decisions will determine whether the Africa Cup of Nations continues under the proposed four-year model or returns to being played every two years.

The 2027 tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda remains the next edition identified in the current plan, with the proposed 2028 competition forming part of the transition before the planned move to a four-year cycle.