The future of the Africa Cup of Nations could depend on a fresh round of consultations with African football associations, following reports that the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has asked its members to choose between retaining the tournament’s traditional two-year cycle and moving to a four-year schedule.
According to an exclusive report cheated by African top journalist Micky Junior, CAF has written to all its member associations seeking their positions on the competition’s frequency, with submissions due by Wednesday.
The reported consultation represents another significant development in a debate that has unsettled African football since CAF announced plans to change the tournament’s format.
Early indications suggest that many member associations may favour retaining the biennial schedule, although the extent of that support and the final outcome of the consultation remain unclear.
The decision now under review
As reported by TheAthleticNG on October 9, CAF’s position on the four-year cycle had already come under scrutiny following comments by president Patrice Motsepe at the governing body’s strategy conference in Cape Verde.
Motsepe confirmed that CAF was reviewing the possibility of returning to a two-year schedule, months after announcing that AFCON would move to a four-year cycle following the 2028 edition.
The original restructuring was presented as part of efforts to align African football with the international calendar and improve the financial sustainability of the game. CAF also planned to introduce an African Nations League from 2029 to provide a more regular competition for national teams.
However, the proposed changes prompted questions about whether a less frequent AFCON would serve the continent’s sporting and commercial interests.
The latest reported consultation could provide CAF with a clearer picture of how its member associations view the competing proposals.
Why the two-year cycle still appeals
Supporters of retaining AFCON every two years point to the opportunities the tournament creates beyond the competition itself.
Hosting the finals can encourage countries to invest in stadiums, training facilities, transport and other infrastructure. It can also generate economic activity through tourism, commercial investment and employment.
A biennial tournament would additionally give national teams more frequent opportunities to compete for continental honours and allow players to represent their countries on one of African football’s biggest stages.
For countries seeking to strengthen their football systems, the regular return of AFCON can help sustain public interest, encourage investment and maintain visibility for their national teams.
These arguments sit at the centre of the debate over whether the proposed four-year cycle would offer greater long-term benefits or reduce opportunities for development across the continent.
A decision with consequences beyond AFCON
The question facing CAF is not simply how often the tournament should be played. Any change would affect national associations, host countries, players, sponsors, broadcasters and the wider calendar of international football.
A return to a two-year cycle would also require CAF to consider how it fits alongside the African Nations League and the other competitions included in its restructuring plans.
CAF has not been shown to have formally abandoned the four-year plan in the information available for this report.
The immediate focus is on the responses expected from member associations by Wednesday and what those submissions could mean for the governing body’s next steps.
CLICK HERE TO JOIN ATHLETIC NG WHATSAPP CHANNEL NOW!
After months of debate, African football is approaching a potentially decisive moment over the future of its flagship national team tournament: whether to preserve the tradition of a continental championship every two years or embrace a longer cycle intended to reshape the international calendar.
Pingback: MC Alger coach gives one reason for wanting to leave after Champions League success – Report - The Athletic NG