AFCON returns to a two-year cycle

The Africa Cup of Nations is set to retain its biennial schedule after all. According to reports by Micky Jnr, the Executive Committee of the Confederation of African Football decided, at its meeting on Thursday 29 October, to revert the competition to a two-year cycle.

At this stage, no official announcement from CAF has yet confirmed this decision. If it proves to be true, it would mark a significant shift in the scheduling of the main competition for African national teams.

However, this change of course would not come as a complete surprise. On 9 October, CAF President Patrice Motsepe had already raised the possibility of returning to a biennial format for the Africa Cup of Nations.

“We are looking into the possibility of reinstating a biennial cycle for the Africa Cup of Nations. This matter is currently under consideration,” Motsepe had stated.

In December 2025, the governing body of African football had announced that the Africa Cup of Nations would switch to a four-year cycle. This reform was set to alter the schedule of the continental competition.

However, the Executive Committee has reviewed this decision and opted to return to a biennial format.