Why has Caf abandoned plans to hold Afcon every four years?

The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is set to return to its traditional biennial format, after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) reversed its decision to hold the tournament every four years. President Patrice Motsepe announced the change, stating it was to "advance, protect and promote" the interests of African football.

Despite Afcon being held every two years since 1957, the switch was controversial, with some arguing the global football calendar needed to be more synchronized. The tournament has been a major revenue generator for Caf, with profits reaching $114m (£85m) for the 2025 edition. An annual Africa Nations League, proposed as an alternative to a four-year cycle, has yet to deliver on financial expectations, having failed after one edition.

The decision to revert to a biennial schedule was made without a general assembly vote, and Caf asked its 54 associations to choose between the new format or returning to the original schedule. The switch back to a two-year cycle is seen as a move to assert African influence in football, even as Fifa president Gianni Infantino pushes for greater African representation in the World Cup.