Motsepe made the announcement on Friday, 9 October 2026, during the CAF Strategy Conference in Cape Verde, acknowledging that the governing body was reconsidering the competition’s schedule.
“We are looking into bringing AFCON back to every two years. That’s under review,” Motsepe said, according to reports.
The development comes less than a year after CAF announced plans to move the continental showpiece from a biennial competition to a four-year cycle, a decision that generated considerable debate across African football.
CAF reconsiders controversial AFCON schedule
AFCON has traditionally been played every two years since the competition began in 1957, providing African national teams with a regular opportunity to compete for the continent’s biggest international football title.
However, CAF announced a major restructuring of its international calendar in December 2025, including plans for AFCON to be held every four years after the 2028 edition.
The changes were linked to plans to introduce an African Nations League, which Motsepe said would create additional commercial opportunities and help generate more revenue for the continent’s football development.
The proposal attracted criticism from supporters and observers who feared that reducing the frequency of AFCON would diminish its place in African football and limit opportunities for national teams and players.
The latest review suggests CAF is reconsidering the long-term implications of the change.
What happens to the 2027 and 2028 tournaments?
The future schedule remains a key issue as CAF evaluates its options.
Under the previously announced plan, the 2027 AFCON is scheduled to take place in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, followed by another edition in 2028. The next tournament was then planned for 2032, creating a four-year gap before the competition settled into its proposed new cycle.
A return to a two-year schedule would require CAF to clarify how the tournament would fit into its revised calendar and how the change would affect other international competitions.
For now, Motsepe’s comments confirm that the format is being reviewed, not that a final reversal has been approved. CAF has yet to announce a definitive change to the schedule.
African football weighs tradition against a crowded calendar
The debate reflects the challenge of balancing AFCON’s historic identity with the growing demands of the international football calendar.
A biennial tournament gives national teams more frequent opportunities to compete for continental honours and offers host nations recurring chances to benefit from the competition’s commercial and tourism impact.
However, a more crowded schedule creates challenges for clubs, national associations and players who must balance domestic leagues, continental club competitions and international fixtures.
CAF’s proposed African Nations League was intended to provide a new structure for international football while increasing revenue and development opportunities.
The current review indicates that the confederation is reassessing how those ambitions can be achieved without reducing AFCON’s frequency.
Final decision still pending
Motsepe’s announcement has reopened a major discussion about the future of African football’s flagship national-team competition.
Although a return to the two-year cycle is now under consideration, CAF has not yet confirmed that it will abandon the four-year format.
National associations, players and supporters will be watching for further clarification as the governing body continues its review.
Until an official decision is announced, the existing AFCON schedule remains subject to CAF’s ongoing deliberations.