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CAF to review AFCON schedule, could revert to two-year cycle

By Drooid · Oct 13, 2026, 10:43 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Motsepe Reviews AFCON

Patrice Motsepe announced CAF will review AFCON scheduling and may revert to a two-year cycle.
An executive committee meeting in Abidjan next month will decide the tournament’s biennial format.
Motsepe will not seek a third term when his CAF mandate ends in 2029.
Motsepe pledged $700,000 yearly to each member association and raised executive payments to $350 plus $8,000 bonus.

Summary

Morocco Hosts Futsal

The TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON will take place in Rabat, Morocco, from 12 October to 21 October 2026.
Eight nations—Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia—have qualified for the tournament.
A new trophy featuring five golden arches and an African map was unveiled for the 2026 edition.
Veteran forward Soufiane Borite, 33, seeks a fourth title as Morocco aims to retain the crown at home.

History

Historical Context

In 1996 CAF president Issa Hayatou changed the Africa Cup of Nations from a four-year to a two-year cycle, expanding the finals to 16 teams. After the tournament grew to 24 teams in 2019, CAF under President Patrice Motsepe announced on 20 December 2025 that it will revert to a quadrennial schedule from 2028 and launch an African Nations League, aiming to balance the calendar and revenue.

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Motsepe Reviews AFCON

Patrice Motsepe announced CAF will review AFCON scheduling and may revert to a two-year cycle.
An executive committee meeting in Abidjan next month will decide the tournament’s biennial format.
Motsepe will not seek a third term when his CAF mandate ends in 2029.
Motsepe pledged $700,000 yearly to each member association and raised executive payments to $350 plus $8,000 bonus.

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