TOURNAMENT RESET: Finances behind CAF’s decision to revert to biennial Afcon cycle
CAF announced last year that the Africa Cup of Nations would take place every four years. Now it has reversed this stance and reverted to the traditional two-year cycle for Africa’s premier soccer competition.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its decision to make the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) a quadrennial event, reverting to the traditional two-year cycle. This shift comes after the CAF Executive Committee vetoed the initial plan to hold the tournament every four years, starting in 2025. CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced the move, explaining that the proposed Africa Nations League needed several years to become financially self-sufficient and contribute to global soccer competitiveness.
Motsepe emphasized that the decision prioritized the interests of African football and CAF's 54 member associations, as well as the wellbeing of African players. The next Afcon is scheduled to take place between 19 June and 17 July 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, with CAF confident that it will proceed as planned despite concerns about the hosts' readiness.
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