In a landmark decision that will reshape the footballing calendar, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed the Africa Cup of Nations will shift from a two-year to a four-year cycle. The major change is scheduled to take effect from the 2028 edition onwards.
A Historic Shift for African Football
The announcement, which came as a surprise to many, was made on the eve of the 35th Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Morocco. CAF President Patrice Motsepe revealed the decision following a meeting of the executive committee in Rabat. This marks a fundamental departure for the competition, which has been held every two years since its inception back in 1957.
The timing of the announcement, just before the kick-off in Morocco on Sunday, has placed the historic change at the centre of continental football discussions. The current champions, Ghana, who triumphed in the 2024 edition, will be among the last to defend their title under the old biennial format.
Implications and Future Calendar
Moving the premier African international football tournament to a quadrennial schedule aligns it with other major competitions like the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship. This change is expected to have significant ramifications for player workload, commercial contracts, and the international football calendar.
For European clubs, which host a large number of African stars, the shift will mean their players are released for the tournament half as often. However, it potentially increases the prestige and build-up for each edition, allowing for more extensive preparation and commercial development between tournaments.
A New Era from 2028
The decision ensures that the next few tournaments will proceed under the established format before the new era begins. The focus now turns to Morocco, which is set to host what will be one of the final biennial AFCON events. All eyes will be on how CAF manages the transition and what this means for the growth and structure of football across the African continent.
This strategic move by CAF's leadership under Patrice Motsepe signals a deliberate step towards repositioning the Africa Cup of Nations within the global sporting landscape, prioritising a model that may enhance its competitive and commercial stature in the long term.
