CAF President Reconsiders Africa Cup of Nations Scheduling Change

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 11, 2026

CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced that the Confederation of African Football is reconsidering its plan to hold the Africa Cup of Nations every four years instead of every two, emphasizing CAF’s independence from FIFA and UEFA influence. This review could maintain AFCON’s traditional biennial schedule, affecting the tournament’s alignment with the global soccer calendar and its impact on stakeholders across Africa.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is reconsidering its decision to change the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) from a biennial to a quadrennial event, CAF President Patrice Motsepe announced on Friday. The organization had previously declared that starting in 2028, the tournament would be held every four years to align with FIFA’s international calendar. However, Motsepe emphasized that CAF maintains its independence and does not take directives from FIFA or UEFA.

Speaking at the conclusion of a three-day CAF strategy conference in Cape Verde, Motsepe described assertions that CAF’s scheduling changes were influenced by European or global soccer governance bodies as “nonsense” and “absolute rubbish.” He dismissed claims that the revision of the tournament cycle was motivated by external pressures, specifically pointing out criticism coming from the ongoing Africa Cup currently held in Morocco, where some stakeholders expressed concern that the new schedule favors European interests over African priorities.

A South African billionaire and FIFA vice president, Motsepe stressed his commitment to protecting and advancing the interests of African football. “My No. 1 job, my No. 1 duty is to protect, promote, and advance the interests of Africa,” he said. He acknowledged that CAF is now reviewing the decision and is “looking at everything,” including the possibility of maintaining AFCON as a biennial competition.

In a separate statement during the conference, Motsepe reaffirmed the unanimous support of CAF’s 54-member associations for FIFA President Gianni Infantino amid recent controversies. Infantino highlighted FIFA’s investments in African football over the past decade as part of his message to potential voters.

Motsepe also addressed rumors concerning the upcoming AFCON tournament scheduled for 2027 in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Despite reports from French media about delays in construction projects and internal CAF discussions about relocating the event, Motsepe confirmed the tournament will proceed as planned. “You have to believe in Africa. There will be problems, there will be failures, fine, but we will be there. That’s what Mandela taught us,” he said.

The ongoing debate over the tournament’s scheduling reflects broader tensions within African football governance about balancing local development needs with international alignment and external pressures. As CAF reassesses its position, the decision will have implications for players, broadcasters, and fans across the continent.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.