AFCON could stay every two years as CAF rethinks four-year plan
The Africa Cup of Nations could stay every two years after all.
CAF president Patrice Motsepe said the tournament schedule was discussed at a CAF strategy conference in Cape Verde. He said the governing body is reviewing how often AFCON is played and is considering keeping it on a two-year cycle, according to BBC.
AFCON is Africa's men's national-team championship. It has been held every two years since 1968, apart from editions in 2012 and 2013. In December 2025, CAF announced that run would end, with a shift to every four years after the 2027 finals in East Africa and a 2028 edition.
That plan did not land well. The proposed switch to a four-year cycle drew widespread criticism across Africa. National associations raised concerns about team visibility, commercial implications and where AFCON would sit in the international football calendar.
The debate has two sides. Algeria defender Aissa Mandi publicly backed the four-year idea last December, saying it was better than every two years, according to Reuters. A longer gap can ease fixture congestion, the packed programme of club and country matches, and give hosts more time to prepare.
The case for two years is rhythm and reach. CAF has said revenues generated by AFCON have grown by 90%. Preliminary research numbers cited earlier this year pointed to 61% growth in viewership.
Timing adds urgency. Group qualifiers, the round-robin ties that decide who reaches the finals, for the 2027 edition kicked off in late September 2026, according to Reuters. Any change to the cycle would shape campaigns that are already under way.
For fans, this means more chances to gather around the same story. A two-year AFCON brings new players through quickly. It keeps smaller nations in the shop window. It also keeps that mid-season burst of colour, noise and late drama that lights up living rooms from Dakar to Dar es Salaam.
No final decision has been announced. Discussions are under way to reverse the proposed switch. Motsepe's comments on 9 October point to a rethink, not yet a ruling.
