The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has decided to revert the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to a two-year hosting cycle, reversing a previous plan to extend the interval to four years. This change follows a key internal meeting where officials reconsidered the structure of the tournament. The decision maintains the biennial format, which has been in place since 2019.
The original proposal to extend AFCON to a four-year cycle was intended to reduce the frequency of the tournament and allow for more regular participation from member nations. However, the CAF leadership opted to keep the event every two years, aligning it with the current calendar and ensuring continued competitiveness. The African Nations League (ANL), a proposed competition to replace AFCON, now faces uncertainty as the tournament’s structure remains unchanged.
This decision comes after years of debate over the scheduling of major African football events. The biennial format has allowed for more frequent participation and has helped maintain the tournament’s relevance and excitement. The CAF’s reversal highlights the ongoing efforts to balance the demands of national teams with the need for regular competition. The next AFCON is scheduled to take place in 2023, with the host nation yet to be announced.
