CAF reconsiders AFCON’s four-year cycle
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is reconsidering its plan to hold the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, with president Patrice Motsepe hinting at a possible return to the tournament’s traditional two-year cycle.
Motsepe disclosed this on Friday at the CAF Strategy Conference in Santa Maria, Sal Island, Cape Verde, saying the governing body had revisited the competition’s future during recent discussions.
*President of the Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”), Dr Patrice Motsepe. Photo: CAF
Abimbola Joseph
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is reconsidering its plan to hold the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, with president Patrice Motsepe hinting at a possible return to the tournament’s traditional two-year cycle.
Motsepe disclosed this on Friday at the CAF Strategy Conference in Santa Maria, Sal Island, Cape Verde, saying the governing body had revisited the competition’s future during recent discussions.
“We are looking at everything, including having the AFCON coming back every two years,” he said.
The conference, held from October 7 to 9, brought together representatives of CAF’s 54 member associations, national team coaches and other football stakeholders to discuss the development of the game across Africa.
In December 2025, CAF announced plans to switch AFCON from its traditional two-year cycle to a four-year schedule after the 2028 edition.
The proposed change formed part of a broader restructuring of African national team competitions, which included plans to introduce an African Nations League in 2029.
The reforms were intended to align African football more closely with the international calendar while providing more regular opportunities for senior national teams to compete.
However, Motsepe’s latest remarks suggest that CAF is reviewing the proposed format. He did not announce a reversal of the decision or give a timeline for any possible change.
The CAF president also rejected suggestions that the governing body made decisions to satisfy European football authorities, insisting that its priority was to protect Africa’s interests.
He described as “absolute rubbish” claims that CAF took decisions at the request of the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) or for the benefit of UEFA or FIFA.
Motsepe acknowledged that CAF sometimes disagreed with UEFA but said cooperation remained important because many African players compete in European leagues.
He added that CAF would continue working with football authorities in Europe, the United States and China while defending the interests of African football.
