The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reversed its decision to hold the Africa Cup of Nations every four years, restoring the tournament’s two-year cycle.
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In a post on X, CAF said its Executive Committee unanimously approved the return to the biennial schedule.
Le Comité exécutif de la Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) a décidé à l’unanimité, ce jeudi, que la Coupe d’Afrique des Nations (CAN) se tiendra de nouveau tous les deux ans.
Le président de la CAF, Dr Patrice Motsepe, avait annoncé, lors de la Conférence stratégique de la CAF organisée au Cap-Vert du 7 au 9 octobre 2026, que le Comité Exécutif réexaminerait la décision prise l’année dernière de faire passer la CAN à un cycle quadriennal.
https://t.co/AeYNbqoFUi— CAF Media (@CAF_Media) October 30, 2026
“The Confédération Africaine de Football (‘CAF’) Executive Committee (‘EXCO’) today unanimously decided that the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (‘AFCON’) will return to taking place every Two Years,” the statement said.
The decision follows an announcement by CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe at the CAF Strategy Conference in Cabo Verde, held from October 7 to 9, 2026.
At that conference, Motsepe said the Executive Committee would reassess the decision it took last year to stage AFCON every four years.
The unanimous vote now overturns that move. However, CAF’s post did not specify which edition would mark the start of the restored two-year cycle.

