After announcing plans to hold the Africa Cup of Nations every four years, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has reversed course and will retain the tournament's traditional biennial staging. The U-turn, announced by president Patrice Motsepe, comes after significant backlash from member associations and comes amid concerns over player scheduling and the financial viability of alternative competitions. The decision follows a request for member preferences and an executive committee vote to restore the original two-year cycle.
Afcon has predominantly been held every two years since 1957, barring a few exceptions. The controversial shift to a four-year cycle was initially proposed to synchronize with the global calendar, but critics argued it favored global governing body Fifa more than African football. Caf's flagship tournament remains a major revenue generator, forecast to produce $114m in profit for the 2025 edition.
The reversal preserves the status quo for African football's premier competition.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing