AFCON Shifts Back to Biennial Format After Caf's Change of Heart

In a noteworthy turnaround, the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is set to return to its familiar two-year cycle after the Confederation of African Football (Caf) reversed its previous decision. Back in December, Caf had announced a shift to a four-year interval for the tournament, but after careful consideration, they have opted to reinstate the biennial format. Initially, the governing body proposed an African Nations League to take AFCON's place as the biennial competition. However, they realized that building a sustainable revenue model would take considerable time. Caf President Patrice Motsepe emphasized the decision, stating, "The Executive Committee's choice to bring back the AFCON every two years is focused on advancing and safeguarding the interests of African football, the 54 Caf Member Associations, and players plying their trade abroad." The biennial schedule has historically been a tricky issue, often clashing with the European club calendar, as many tournaments have been held right in the middle of the season. This year, FIFA's expanded 32-team Club World Cup took place in June and July, which further complicated scheduling for Caf as they were forced to choose mid-season dates. Looking ahead, the next AFCON is scheduled for 2027, with Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda sharing hosting duties. Subsequent tournaments will follow in 2028, 2031, and 2033, while 2030 will be a gap year due to the World Cup. In a dramatic twist, Senegal initially celebrated their AFCON 2025 victory, only to have their title revoked months later in favor of Morocco.