Is the Move to Host Afcon Every Four Years ‘A Mistake’ or ‘A Smart Decision’?
After the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which saw an unprecedented number of goals but ended in controversy, fans can anticipate two additional tournaments in 2027 and 2028. The specific dates and host for the latter event are still to be confirmed. Subsequently, the Afcon tournament will transition from its traditional biennial schedule to a quadrennial format.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe announced this significant change just before the finals concluded in Morocco, also revealing plans for a new African Nations League, set to launch in 2029 and take place annually. This decision followed discussions with FIFA and has initiated a debate within the football community, with voices like Mali’s coach Tom Saintfiet deeming the change “totally wrong.” Yet, Motsepe stands firm, insisting that this new direction is in the best interest of African football and that the Nations League will offer a superior level of competition.
Is It a Decision by CAF or FIFA?
FIFA president Gianni Infantino proposed the idea of holding Afcon every four years back in February 2020, a suggestion Motsepe rebuffed after his own election as CAF president in March 2021. At that time, he staunchly defended the biennial system, arguing for its necessity.
A well-regarded former coach suggested that Infantino’s plans could undermine African football. However, with an expanded FIFA World Cup featuring 48 teams and nine slots designated for African nations, it seems that Infantino has successfully influenced Motsepe’s stance over the past five years.
Motsepe now argues that CAF needs to adapt to create a more harmonized global calendar, although he responded defensively to claims that FIFA was dictating terms to the African football governing body. He expressed disappointment that respect for African football seems to be greater from international players than some local stakeholders.
Transforming the Legacy of Football
Since its inaugural event in 1957, Afcon has regularly occurred every two years, with few exceptions. The tournament is celebrated globally for its excitement and unpredictability. However, the growing number of African players engaged in European clubs has led to consistent scheduling conflicts, prompting a reevaluation of the tournament’s timing.
Previous commitments to host Afcon in mid-year (June and July) have faltered due to concerns about weather, further complicated by the new FIFA Club World Cup format established last year. Some stakeholders perceive that the interests of European leagues are prioritized too heavily.
Opinions on the decision vary. While Egypt’s coach believes the change favors European leagues, Ivory Coast’s manager sees potential benefits if it fosters the growth of African football. The proposed Nations League may offer opportunities for smaller nations to enhance their competitiveness.
Financial Incentives Behind the Shift
Under Motsepe’s leadership, CAF has significantly boosted its revenue from Afcon. Projections indicate a profit of $114 million for the 2025 tournament, compared to $75 million previously anticipated for the 2023 event and less than $5 million for the 2021 edition. Regular hosting promises infrastructure improvements for football, although maintaining these facilities presents challenges.
Senegal’s captain, Kalidou Koulibaly, articulated the importance of the tournament for continental development, expressing concerns about the potential repercussions of altering its frequency. The rationale for the shift raises questions, particularly given the tournament’s successful format.
Motsepe maintains that the revenue from Afcon under this new structure will fall short compared to what is projected for the African Nations League. Achieving financial targets remains to be seen, but the regional approach of the Nations League could rekindle historic rivalries, as demonstrated by the rarity of competitive matches between countries like Ghana and Nigeria.
A Changing Landscape for Domestic Competitions
Afcon has frequently served as a platform for players to showcase their talents and secure lucrative opportunities. Burkina Faso’s captain, Bertrand Traore, remarked on how this decision affects younger players who will now need to wait four years for Afcon, while some rely on the tournament to gain exposure.
The restructuring signals an end to the African Nations Championship (CHAN), a competition dedicated to domestic players. Recent CHAN events have faced participation challenges, and the tournament has often experienced delays and withdrawals.
Motsepe has labeled CHAN a financial liability, but it has nonetheless fostered the careers of notable players. As the women’s tournament remains under discussion, former South Africa midfielder Amanda Dlamini expressed hope that it will continue to be held biannually, fearing reduced attention to women’s football if the cycle changes.
Communication and the Future of Afcon
Motsepe acknowledged that CAF could have improved its communication regarding the decision to switch Afcon’s schedule. The unexpected announcement during a lengthy press conference caught many off guard. He admitted his team fell short in preparing stakeholders for this transition and hoped that the merits of the change would become clear over time.
The Nations League holds potential for success, yet Afcon is likely to remain the continent’s premier football event.
