Motsepe Reconsiders AFCON Format as CAF Weighs Return to Two-Year Cycle

Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has confirmed that the organisation is reviewing its decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years, opening the door to a return to the competition’s traditional biennial format.

“We are looking into bringing AFCON back to every two years. That’s under review,” Motsepe said on Friday, October 9, 2026, during CAF’s strategy conference in Cape Verde.

The development comes less than a year after CAF announced plans to move AFCON from its established two-year cycle to a four-year schedule following the 2028 edition.

The original decision was presented as part of a broader restructuring of African football’s international calendar, including the introduction of a new African Nations League. However, the change generated debate over the future of the continent’s flagship national-team competition and its place in the global football calendar.

Motsepe said CAF had discussed the issue in recent days and was considering all options, including restoring the previous format.

“The AFCON — because this is one of the issues we’re talking about — we took a decision as Africa because there were lots of issues, but I can guarantee you we have discussed it over the last few days to say we are looking at everything, including having the AFCON coming back every two years,” he said, according to the Associated Press.

The CAF president also rejected suggestions that the governing body simply followed the wishes of FIFA or UEFA when making decisions about the tournament, stressing that protecting African football’s interests remained his priority.

A return to the biennial format would represent a significant reconsideration of CAF’s recent strategy, although Motsepe has not announced a final decision. The confederation would still need to clarify how any revised schedule would fit alongside other international competitions and the proposed African Nations League.

Meanwhile, Motsepe reaffirmed that the 2027 AFCON is scheduled to take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, with the tournament expected to proceed as planned.