Caf Reverses Course: Afcon Returns to Biennial Tradition
Sadio Mane's Senegal was originally crowned champions of Afcon 2025, but that victory has since been contested, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport set to determine the rightful titleholder, now tipped in favor of Morocco.
In a startling about-face just ten months after announcing a shift to a four-year cycle for the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has decided to revert to its traditional biennial format. Caf president Patrice Motsepe stated that this reversal aims to "advance, protect, and promote" the interests of African football.
The first signs of this change emerged during Caf's strategy conference held in Cape Verde earlier this month, raising questions about the decision-making processes within the organization and what this means for the sport's future on the continent.
Since its inaugural tournament in 1957, Afcon has primarily been a biennial event, experiencing only a few instances of three-year gaps in the 1960s and between the 2012 and 2013 tournaments. As the 2025 finals in Morocco approach, Motsepe had previously announced a significant shift starting in 2028.
He argued that aligning Afcon with the global football calendar would help ease tensions over player availability during the European club season, which has been a recurring issue. However, the announcement faced criticism as many believed it prioritized FIFA's interests over those of African football.
"The general sentiment across the continent has been that the two-year cycle has worked well for us," remarked Sydney Mungala, an official from the Football Association of Zambia. "The idea of moving to a four-year cycle caught many by surprise and raised concerns among African federations."
Afcon has become a vital revenue stream for Caf, with projections estimating a profit of $114 million for the 2025 tournament, a significant increase from the $75 million garnered in the previous edition in Ivory Coast. In place of the four-year cycle, Caf considered introducing an annual Africa Nations League, which Motsepe envisioned as a "world-class competition every year."
This shift was intended to alleviate Caf's dependence on Afcon and foster a more sustainable financial model to support football development. However, previous attempts at alternative competitions, like the Africa Super League launched in 2022, fell short of expectations and were abandoned after just one season.
Motsepe later acknowledged that the commercial partnerships were disappointing, stating, "We didn't move forward as quickly as we hoped because the financial deals we received weren't satisfactory."
The decision to shift to a four-year cycle was made during a Caf executive committee meeting last December, without a broader discussion at a general assembly of member nations. Algerian journalist Maher Mezahi emphasized that such significant changes should involve extensive debate among all stakeholders.
Caf reached out to its 54 associations to gauge their preferences regarding the tournament's frequency, ultimately voting to return to the familiar biennial format. Motsepe asserted that this decision was in the "best interest of African football" and would help the sport flourish.
He also expressed doubts about the new Nations League, suggesting it would take years to yield substantial financial and developmental benefits for the continent.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino had initially proposed a four-year cycle for Afcon back in 2020, an idea that Motsepe rejected upon taking office. Still, he has maintained a close relationship with Infantino, especially as the FIFA head pushes for expanding the World Cup to 48 teams and increasing African representation.
However, Infantino's position has faced scrutiny following leaks about plans to sell stakes in FIFA competitions. In response, he has been working to consolidate support, including at Caf's recent strategy meeting, where he received backing from many African nations.
Mezahi noted that Africa's support for Infantino may come with conditions, suggesting that the return to a two-year Afcon cycle was a key concession. This demonstrates Africa's willingness to assert its influence and prioritize its interests in the global football landscape.
Historically, Afcon has been held at various times in the year, with the 2019 edition taking place in the summer, while subsequent tournaments in 2021 and 2023 were scheduled for January and February. The 2025 finals will now start in December, accommodating the FIFA Club World Cup.
Ultimately, Afcon remains a crucial financial lifeline for Caf, representing a significant portion of its income and ensuring the viability of other competitions.
