Ivory Coast coach Hervé Renard backs return to biennial Africa Cup of Nations

Ivory Coast coach Hervé Renard has expressed support for bringing the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) back to a biennial schedule, following the Confederation of African Football (CAF) decision to stage the tournament every four years from 2028. The CAF announced the change in December 2025, triggering criticism from football officials and supporters across Africa.

However, CAF president Patrice Motsepe has since suggested the decision may be reconsidered in light of concerns about the proposed alteration. Renard, who has coached numerous national teams, is among those backing a return to the traditional biennial format. He argued to Afrik-Foot that staging the tournament every two years is preferable, stating that a four-year gap is "far too long" in his view.

His stance is echoed by DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre, who also favors retaining the two-year cycle, asserting that African football requires the competition to continue in its traditional format. AFCON, one of Africa's premier international football tournaments, convenes leading national teams under the existing biennial system.

Alongside the proposed change to AFCON, CAF also announced the end of the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a competition for players in domestic leagues across the continent, citing economic viability as the reason for its discontinuation. The results of the anticipated vote in Abuja, Nigeria, scheduled for November 21, could determine whether AFCON reverts to its biennial schedule or continues with the four-year cycle.