CAF Reviews AFCON Schedule Amid Push to Return to Biennial Format

At a strategy conference in Cape Verde on October 9, 2026, CAF president Patrice Motsepe said the governing body is re-examining its plan to move the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a four-year cycle. The comment follows a December 2025 decision to shift the tournament to a quadrennial format after the 2027 edition.

CAF considers returning AFCON to every 2 years after reviewing 4-year plan AFCON move to every four years under review by CAF “AFCON Could Return to Every Two Years” — Motsepe Reveals CAF Reviewing Controversial Four-Year Tournament Plan The GuardianCAF mulling return of AFCON to biennial competition - Motsepe Everything you need to know about the TotalEnergies CAF Futsal AFCON Morocco 2026

In December 2025, CAF announced that AFCON would be held every four years after the 2027 tournament hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with a further edition slated for 2028. The change was presented as a way to align African international football with the global calendar and reduce clashes with European club competitions. National associations criticised the longer interval, warning it could hurt visibility and commercial opportunities.

CAF considers returning AFCON to every 2 years after reviewing 4-year plan

Motsepe’s remarks highlighted the ongoing internal debate. CAF has not issued a formal decision to revert to the biennial schedule, and a spokesperson confirmed that the review process remains “ongoing.” Other officials indicated that the executive committee will discuss the matter at a meeting in Abidjan next month, where a final recommendation is expected. No concrete timeline for a policy change has been set.

“AFCON Could Return to Every Two Years” — Motsepe Reveals CAF Reviewing Controversial Four-Year Tournament Plan

Multiple outlets quoted Motsepe on the same day with slight wording differences, but all convey the same core message that the four-year plan is under review.

CAF mulling return of AFCON to biennial competition - Motsepe

• “I can guarantee you we have discussed it [AFCON] over the last few days, to say we are looking at everything, including having the AFCON coming back every two years.” — Patrice Motsepe

CAF mulling return of AFCON to biennial competition - Motsepe

The CAF executive committee is slated to meet in Abidjan next month to consider the schedule review. No definitive outcome has been announced, and the 2027 AFCON in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will proceed as planned. Stakeholders will await the committee’s recommendation before any official change to the tournament’s frequency is confirmed.

CAF considers returning AFCON to every 2 years after reviewing 4-year plan