The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed a landmark restructuring of its flagship tournament, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), transitioning from its traditional biennial format to a quadrennial schedule. The decision, announced by CAF President Patrice Motsepe following high-level consultations with FIFA executives in Rabat ahead of the 2025 edition in Morocco, has prompted widespread discussion across the African football landscape.
Under the new arrangement, the tournament will be held in 2025 in Morocco, followed by the 2027 edition co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Another tournament will take place in 2028, after which the AFCON will move permanently to a four-year cycle. The decision marks a departure from over six decades of biennial competition since the inaugural 1957 edition in Sudan.
CAF has indicated that the shift is designed to align Africa’s football calendar with the global schedule and reduce conflicts with major international tournaments. The move also coincides with plans to introduce a new annual African Nations League, modelled on UEFA’s version, beginning in 2029. This competition is expected to offer additional opportunities for national teams while supplementing the financial shortfall that could result from a less frequent AFCON.
The announcement, however, has not been without controversy. Within CAF itself, reactions have been mixed. Several senior officials and member associations have voiced concern that the decision was influenced by European stakeholders, who have long expressed dissatisfaction with releasing African players during their domestic seasons. The change, critics argue, may be seen as a concession to pressure from powerful European clubs and FIFA rather than an outcome of internal African consultation.
A source within CAF’s competitions department, speaking to AFP, revealed that the decision caught some officials off guard, citing the logistical challenges of hosting back-to-back tournaments in 2027 and 2028. The source noted that organising consecutive events of such scale would be demanding, particularly given that the 2027 edition falls within the northern hemisphere summer when scheduling congestion is likely due to the UEFA European Championship and the Los Angeles Olympic Games.
South African-born Motsepe acknowledged that European concerns played a role in the timing of the decision. Major clubs across Europe have for years contended with player absences during AFCON, which traditionally occurs mid-season. Despite this, several African coaches and players have voiced reservations, viewing the move as one that may compromise African football’s autonomy and development trajectory.
Tunisia’s national coach, Sami Trabelsi, remarked that shifting tournament dates would not alter the intrinsic quality of African football or its contribution to the global game. Mali’s Belgian coach, Tom Saintfiet, described the change as “abnormal,” asserting that Africa deserves the same respect accorded to other footballing regions. Uganda’s coach, Paul Put, expressed similar concerns, suggesting that CAF’s decision may have been driven by FIFA’s broader strategy to expand international competitions such as the World Cup and the Club World Cup.
From a developmental perspective, some analysts warn that smaller footballing nations could face diminished exposure and fewer competitive opportunities. The biennial format has historically served as a vital platform for emerging teams to gain continental and international recognition.
However, others have highlighted potential advantages. Morocco’s coach, Walid Regragui, noted that the heightened competition for fewer tournaments could elevate the tournament’s prestige and competitive standard. He observed that while the biennial structure contributed to the growth of several national teams, a four-year cycle may attract greater global attention and investment.
Algerian captain Riyad Mahrez offered a similar view, suggesting that the new schedule could enhance the tournament’s allure, making each edition a major spectacle comparable to the UEFA European Championship.
The decision to reform AFCON reflects CAF’s broader ambition to reposition African football within the global sports economy. Yet, it also underscores the ongoing tension between aligning with international football governance structures and preserving the continent’s sporting sovereignty. As African football evolves, the challenge will lie in ensuring that structural reforms serve not only administrative convenience but also the broader goal of nurturing a self-sustaining, competitive, and globally respected football ecosystem that reflects Africa’s sporting identity on its own terms.
