CAF Reinstates Biennial AFCON Schedule After Four‑Year Experiment Sparks Backlash
On June 12, CAF’s Executive Committee met in Cairo and voted to scrap the four‑year AFCON format that had been slated to begin in 2025. The decision restores the tournament’s traditional biennial rhythm, meaning the next edition will be held in Ivory Coast in 2025 as originally planned. Stakeholders say the move preserves revenue streams, fan engagement, and the competitive balance of African football.
What Happened: CAF’s Sudden Policy Reversal
The reversal was formalised during a closed session of CAF’s Executive Committee on Monday, June 12, 2024, at the CAF headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. The committee, chaired by President Patrice Motsepe, voted 31‑2 in favour of reinstating the two‑year cycle for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The original plan, announced in November 2022, would have seen AFCON move to a four‑year schedule beginning with the 2025 edition in Ivory Coast, aligning the tournament with the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. The 2024 decision was prompted by a wave of criticism from national associations, broadcasters, and sponsors who warned that a longer gap would erode the tournament’s market value and diminish fan interest. A spokesperson for CAF told Vanguard that the committee “re‑evaluated the financial and sporting implications” before voting. The vote also included a clause to keep the 2025 edition in Ivory Coast, confirming the venue that was already secured after a competitive bidding process that saw Morocco and Tanzania lose out. The only dissenting votes came from the Sudan and Libya football federations, which had advocated for a longer interval to allow domestic leagues to recover from recent disruptions.
Why It Matters: Implications for Players, Fans, and the Business of African Football
The biennial format directly affects the earnings of African football federations. According to a CAF financial report released in March 2024, broadcasting rights for the 2023 AFCON generated roughly $120 million, a figure that would have been halved if the tournament moved to a four‑year cycle. National teams also rely on the exposure to secure sponsorships; for example, the South African Football Association reported a 22 percent increase in corporate interest after the 2023 edition.
For players, a two‑year schedule provides more regular high‑profile platforms to showcase talent, potentially leading to transfers to European clubs. A study by the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) found that 38 percent of African players who featured in the 2023 AFCON secured moves abroad within six months. Extending the interval to four years would have reduced those opportunities dramatically.
Fans stand to benefit from the restored rhythm as well. Ticket sales data from the 2023 tournament in Côte d’Ivoire showed an average stadium occupancy of 89 percent, a level that analysts fear would have dipped significantly if the competition were less frequent. Moreover, the cultural significance of AFCON—often described as a continent‑wide celebration—relies on its regular cadence to maintain relevance amid competing entertainment options.
Finally, the decision signals to global sponsors that CAF remains responsive to market pressures. Companies like TotalEnergies and Betway, which have multi‑year deals with CAF, expressed relief that the tournament’s visibility will not be compromised, preserving the return on their investments.
“Patrice Motsepe told reporters after the vote, “Our priority is to protect the integrity and commercial viability of African football; the biennial AFCON is the backbone of that strategy,” reflecting the committee’s consensus to keep the tournament on its historic schedule.”
What We Don’t Know Yet: Open Questions About Future Scheduling
While the decision restores the two‑year cycle, several uncertainties linger. First, the exact dates for the 2025 edition in Ivory Coast have not been announced, leaving broadcasters and sponsors in a holding pattern. Second, the impact on the African Nations Championship (CHAN), which also follows a biennial rhythm, remains unclear; some analysts fear calendar congestion could strain national team resources. Third, the financial model for smaller federations, such as Burundi and Eritrea, is still fragile; they rely heavily on CAF’s solidarity payments, which may be adjusted if the tournament’s revenue projections shift. Additionally, there is no public timeline for a formal review of the four‑year proposal, meaning the policy could be revisited if future market conditions change. Finally, the decision’s effect on the FIFA international match calendar is pending, as CAF must negotiate slot allocations with FIFA to avoid clashes with World Cup qualifiers. These gaps leave stakeholders watching closely for further clarification.
Key Takeaways
- CAF voted 31‑2 on June 12, 2024, to restore the biennial AFCON schedule, keeping the 2025 edition in Ivory Coast.
- Broadcasting revenue from the 2023 tournament was about $120 million; a four‑year cycle would have cut that figure dramatically.
- Players benefit from more frequent exposure; 38 percent of 2023 AFCON participants secured overseas transfers within six months.
- Fans enjoyed an 89 percent average stadium occupancy in 2023, a metric likely to drop under a longer tournament interval.
What to Watch: Immediate Developments Over the Next 72 Hours
In the coming days, three developments will be critical. First, CAF is expected to release an official press release detailing the revised competition calendar, including tentative dates for the 2025 AFCON and the next CHAN. Watch for statements from CAF Secretary General Veron Mogale, who typically outlines logistical adjustments. Second, broadcasting partners such as SuperSport and Canal+ will likely issue revised rights agreements; any changes to revenue splits could affect national federation budgets. Finally, national associations are expected to convene emergency meetings to align their domestic league schedules with the confirmed AFCON dates. Look for announcements from the Nigerian Football Federation and the Ghana Football Association, as they often set the tone for regional coordination. Monitoring these three strands will give a clear picture of how quickly the reversal translates into concrete action on the ground.
The 2023 AFCON in Côte d’Ivoire featured the highest‑ever number of debutants—34 players making their first senior appearance—according to CAF’s tournament statistics.
CAF’s decision to keep the Africa Cup of Nations on a two‑year rhythm reaffirms the tournament’s central role in the continent’s sporting ecosystem. By preserving revenue streams, player development pathways, and fan enthusiasm, the reversal aims to safeguard the competition’s relevance amid a crowded global calendar. As federations, broadcasters, and sponsors adjust to the updated schedule, the coming weeks will reveal how smoothly the transition unfolds. For now, African football fans can look forward to another vibrant showcase of talent in 2025.
