The short version
- Caf has officially decided to maintain the Africa Cup of Nations on its traditional two-year schedule, reversing a controversial plan announced ten months prior to align with a four-year cycle.
- The U-turn follows widespread criticism from member federations who argued that the biennial format serves the continent better and generates essential revenue for the governing body.
- The decision highlights tensions between Caf’s financial reliance on Afcon and Fifa’s broader efforts to harmonize global football calendars, as well as questions about internal transparency in Caf’s executive processes.
The Confederation of African Football has formally abandoned its proposal to transition the Africa Cup of Nations from a biennial event to one held every four years. This reversal marks a significant shift in direction for the continent’s governing body, which had announced the change just ten months ago with the stated goal of synchronizing the African calendar with global football schedules. The decision restores the tournament’s traditional frequency, a format that has defined the competition since its inception in 1957, with only minor interruptions during the 1960s and between 2012 and 2013.
Caf President Patrice Motsepe justified the U-turn by emphasizing the need to advance, protect, and promote the interests of African football. He acknowledged that the initial move toward a four-year cycle was driven by a desire to harmonize with the global calendar, particularly to mitigate recurring disputes over player releases during the European club season. However, the governing body ultimately concluded that maintaining the status quo better serves the sport’s development on the continent. The first signals of this reconsideration emerged at Caf’s strategy conference in Cape Verde earlier this month, where discussions about the tournament’s frequency began to shift.
The initial announcement of the four-year cycle had drawn sharp criticism from various stakeholders within African football. Many federations expressed concern that the change primarily benefited Fifa rather than the African game itself. Sydney Mungala, an official with the Football Association of Zambia, noted that the general sentiment across the continent favored the existing two-year cycle, which has historically served the region well. Critics argued that the proposed shift was a surprise to many and raised questions about whether it truly aligned with the needs of African football associations.
Financial considerations played a crucial role in the decision-making process. Afcon remains Caf’s largest source of revenue, with projections indicating a profit of $114 million for the 2025 finals in Morocco, up from $75 million for the previous tournament in Ivory Coast. The governing body had initially proposed replacing the four-year gap with an annual Africa Nations League involving all 54 member nations, aiming to create a sustainable commercial model that would reduce reliance on Afcon. However, Motsepe admitted doubts about the new competition’s ability to generate substantial financial contributions in the short term, noting it could take several years to become self-supporting.
The failure of previous ambitious competitions has also influenced Caf’s cautious approach. The Africa Super League, launched in 2022 with projected annual revenues of $200 million, was discontinued after just one edition due to unmet commercial expectations. Motsepe previously acknowledged that partner deals fell short of what was anticipated, leading to the competition’s abrupt end. This history has made Caf more hesitant to rely on new tournaments to replace the proven financial stability of Afcon, reinforcing the decision to retain the biennial schedule.
Questions have also been raised about the transparency and inclusivity of Caf’s internal decision-making processes. The initial move to a four-year cycle was approved by the executive committee in December without being tabled at the general assembly, where all member nations are represented. Algerian journalist Maher Mezahi criticized this approach, arguing that such significant decisions should be debated extensively among all stakeholders. In response, Caf later solicited preferences from its 54 associations, and the executive committee ultimately voted to restore the original schedule based on this feedback.
The reversal also reflects broader geopolitical dynamics within international football. Fifa President Gianni Infantino had originally proposed a four-year Afcon cycle in February 2020, an idea Motsepe initially rejected upon his election as Caf president thirteen months later. Despite this early disagreement, Motsepe has cultivated a close relationship with Infantino, particularly supporting the expansion of the World Cup to 48 teams, which increases African representation. However, Infantino’s position has faced challenges following leaks about plans to sell stakes in Fifa competitions, prompting him to strengthen alliances ahead of his re-election bid.
As Caf moves forward, the focus will likely remain on balancing financial sustainability with the developmental needs of African football. The retention of the biennial Afcon schedule provides immediate stability, but long-term strategies for diversifying revenue streams and improving player welfare will continue to be critical. The governing body’s ability to navigate these complex issues while maintaining trust among member federations will determine its effectiveness in promoting the sport across the continent.
Sources behind this briefing
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- BBC Sport↗Why has Caf abandoned plans to hold Afcon every four years?
