Africa Cup of Nations Returns to Biennial Schedule, CAF Confirms

The Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will be held every two years again, after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reversed its 2022 decision to move the tournament to a four-year cycle. The ruling body announced the change unanimously, stating the competition will return to its traditional biennial format. This decision impacts national teams across the continent, as they will now have more frequent opportunities to compete for the continental title, and it aligns Afcon with other major international tournaments like the European Championship and Copa America, which are also held every two years (though the latter has varied). The move is likely to be welcomed by fans and players who value the prestige and regularity of the tournament, while also providing more competitive matches for African nations between World Cups. The next Afcon is scheduled for 2025 in Morocco, and the return to a two-year cycle means the following edition could come as soon as 2027. This shift may also affect club football, as European leagues will need to plan for more frequent player releases during the January window, a long-standing point of contention. CAF's decision underscores its commitment to the tournament's growth and commercial appeal, with more editions potentially boosting revenue and global visibility for African football.