Afcon's Future in Limbo: CAF Considers Returning to Biennial Format

Senegal is anxiously awaiting a ruling from the Court of Arbitration for Sport after being stripped of the Africa Cup of Nations title they believed they had secured back in January. The Africa Cup of Nations might just return to its familiar biennial format. Recent talks within the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have sparked discussions about reversing the planned move to a four-year cycle. At a strategy conference in Cape Verde, CAF President Patrice Motsepe shared, "We've been discussing it for the past few days. We are considering all options, including bringing back the Afcon every two years. We are actively reviewing the situation." Since 1968, the tournament has been held every two years, with only a brief hiatus between 2012 and 2013. Yet in December 2025, CAF announced it would shift the schedule to every four years starting after the 2027 edition in East Africa and the subsequent 2028 tournament. This planned change has met with significant backlash across the continent. National football associations have voiced concerns regarding the visibility of their teams, the potential commercial fallout, and how Africa's premier competition will fit within the global football calendar. As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the court to determine whether Senegal or Morocco will ultimately be crowned champions.