The Confederation of African Football is considering a return to a two-year cycle for the Africa Cup of Nations, President Patrice Motsepe has confirmed.
Motsepe spoke at a press conference in Cape Verde on Friday, the final day of CAF’s Strategy Conference.
“We are looking into bringing AFCON back to every two years. That’s under review,” he said.
His comments came less than a year after CAF announced in December 2025 that AFCON would move to a four-year cycle after the 2028 edition. The 2027 tournament in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda would go ahead, followed by another edition in 2028.
CAF also planned a new African Nations League from 2029, so that the continent would have a major senior men’s national-team event every year outside World Cup years.
The change drew criticism across African football almost immediately. Motsepe defended it in January and rejected claims that FIFA pressured CAF into altering the tournament’s frequency.
His latest remarks mark a clear shift, although he stopped short of announcing a reversal and said the matter is still being reviewed. No decision has been taken, and it is expected to go before the CAF Executive Committee.
A return to the biennial format would force CAF to revisit parts of a calendar it has begun to plan. The governing body has opened bidding for the 2028, 2032 and 2036 editions, and its wider strategy includes the African Nations League. CAF has not said how a two-year cycle would affect these competitions or when it will decide.
The three-day conference brought together presidents of all 54 member associations, Executive Committee members, national-team coaches and football officials to discuss the continent’s priorities through 2030.
