CAF president hints at return to AFCON’s two-year cycle

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has indicated that the Confederation of African Football is mulling the possibility of reverting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to its previous two-year cycle. This revelation came during the CAF Strategy Conference held in Santa Maria, Sal Island, Cape Verde, where Motsepe addressed the future of the tournament.

Despite the recent announcement of a four-year cycle for AFCON following the 2028 edition, Motsepe disclosed that the governing body is reviewing various aspects of the competition. "We took a decision as Africa... we have discussed it over the last few days to say we are looking at everything, including having the AFCON come back every two years," Motsepe stated.

The conference, attended by leaders from CAF's 54 member associations and other football stakeholders, aimed to discuss the advancement of football across the continent. While Motsepe did not confirm a decision to revert the tournament's format, his remarks suggest a significant review of the competition structure. In December 2025, CAF decided to shift AFCON to a four-year schedule as part of a broader restructuring of African national team competitions.

This move aimed to align the tournament more closely with the international football calendar and provide a more regular competition for senior African teams. However, the change sparked discussions about its impact on African football. Motsepe also dismissed allegations that CAF's decisions were influenced by European football authorities, reaffirming the organization's commitment to the interests of the African continent.

He emphasized that CAF's role is to protect, promote, and advance the interests of Africa, while maintaining cooperation with football authorities worldwide.