Caf reverses decision and restores biennial Afcon
The Confederation of African Football has scrapped plans for a four-year Afcon cycle, reinstating the biennial tournament after a review of a December decision.
The African Cup of Nations will return to its traditional two-year cycle after the Confederation of African Football reversed a December decision to stage the tournament every four years. Caf said the change followed a review of that ruling, restoring the format that had long shaped the African football calendar.
Under the abandoned plan, Caf had intended to create an African Nations League to serve as its biennial competition. The governing body acknowledged, however, that such a tournament would need several years to generate enough revenue to become self-sufficient, a factor that shaped the rethink.
Caf president Patrice Motsepe said the executive committee's decision to reinstate Afcon every two years was intended to advance, protect and promote the interests of African football, its 54 member associations and African players who play for clubs outside the continent.
The biennial schedule has frequently clashed with the wider football calendar, with most recent editions staged in the middle of the European club season. Fifa's expanded 32-team Club World Cup, held in June and July this year, also pushed Caf toward mid-season dates.
The next Afcon is scheduled for 2027, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with further editions in 2028, 2031 and 2033. No tournament will be held in 2030 because of the World Cup. The most recent final saw Senegal crowned champions, only to be stripped of the title three months later in favour of Morocco.
Image: Getty Images / BBC Sport
