The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has asked its 54 member associations to decide whether the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) should continue every two years or be held on a four-year cycle.
Associations have until Wednesday, October 28, to submit their positions. Early indications suggest there may be significant support for retaining the existing biennial format, although the responses will help shape further discussions about the tournament’s future schedule.
The consultation follows CAF president Patrice Motsepe’s announcement in December 2025 that the organisation planned to move AFCON to a four-year cycle from 2028.
The proposed change is part of a wider review of African football competitions and aims to reduce pressure on an increasingly crowded international calendar. However, reported opposition has led to the plans being reassessed, leaving the competition’s long-term frequency unresolved.
Case for keeping AFCON every two years
Those in favour of the current format point to the opportunities it creates for host nations. Staging AFCON can encourage spending on stadiums, training grounds, transport and other infrastructure, while also generating tourism, employment and wider business activity.
A tournament held every two years also gives national teams more regular chances to compete for the continental title and allows players to appear on one of African football’s biggest stages.
For national associations, the regularity of AFCON can support efforts to strengthen the sport, develop players and attract commercial partners. CAF and its members also benefit from recurring opportunities to secure sponsorships, broadcasting agreements and international exposure.
Those advantages must be weighed against the demands placed on players who combine international duty with increasingly busy club schedules.
Financial concerns over four-year plan
Supporters of a four-year cycle could argue that the longer gap would give organisers more time to prepare each tournament and bring AFCON closer to the scheduling pattern of competitions such as the FIFA World Cup and the European Championship.
But fewer editions would mean fewer chances for countries to host the tournament and less frequent opportunities for national teams to compete for the continental crown. The change would also affect players, coaches, sponsors, broadcasters and supporters who depend on AFCON as a regular showcase for African football.
CAF has also considered the effect on other competitions, including the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which provides opportunities for players based in domestic leagues. Any restructuring would therefore need to protect development pathways for locally based players and coaches.
Revenue is another major issue. CAF has indicated that moving AFCON to a four-year schedule would create a need for another competition capable of generating income for the organisation and its 54 members.
One option is the Africa Nations League Pan African, a proposed national-team competition similar to AFCON and intended to take place every two years. CAF has warned, however, that it could take several years to produce significant revenue, creating a possible financial gap during the transition.
The issue is expected to be discussed at the CAF General Assembly in Nigeria on November 21. Motsepe is reportedly expected to put the proposal to a vote, with the associations’ submissions potentially decisive in determining AFCON’s future format.