The decision to restore the biennial format underscores the critical role AFCON plays as one of the confederation’s most valuable commercial assets. CAF acknowledged that the proposed replacement, the Africa Nations League, would require several years to generate sufficient revenue to support the continent’s 54 member associations. By reinstating the two-year schedule, CAF aims to protect the financial stability of national federations, many of which rely heavily on tournament revenue to fund their operations. For instance, the Zambia Football Association noted that only two of its 11 national teams receive partial government sponsorship, meaning the rest are funded largely by the association from support provided by CAF and FIFA. With the 2025 tournament in Morocco projected to generate $192 million, representing 66% of CAF’s total competition revenue, the financial stakes of altering the schedule were substantial.
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, who had signaled during a strategy conference in Cape Verde that the Executive Committee would review the changes, stated that the restoration of the two-year cycle is intended to advance, protect, and promote the interests of African football. The move also addresses the needs of players representing clubs outside the continent, who benefit from the consistent rhythm of major international competitions. While the Africa Nations League is still planned to launch in September 2029, it is now expected to be held every two years rather than annually, a change that raises questions about fixture congestion in future AFCON years, such as 2031 and 2033, which have been scheduled to avoid clashes with the World Cup.
As CAF navigates these structural adjustments, the confederation is also celebrating a historic sporting achievement on the women’s youth stage. Dr Motsepe traveled to Rabat, Morocco, to witness Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national team, the Flamingos, compete in the final of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. The Flamingos secured their place in the decider with a stunning 3-1 victory over Brazil in Wednesday’s semi-final, a result that marked a first for the continent. This achievement eclipses previous African records, as Ghana and Nigeria previously finished third in 2012 and 2022, respectively, both defeating Germany in their bronze medal matches. No African team had previously reached the final of the competition.
In a statement released on the CAF website, Dr Motsepe congratulated the Flamingos, stating that the team had made Africa and CAF proud by achieving this historic milestone. The final, scheduled for Saturday, 7 November 2026, at 18:30 local time, will see Nigeria face Japan. The presence of the CAF President at Rabat underscores the significance of this achievement for the continent’s footballing identity. While the men’s senior game undergoes a structural reset with the return of the biennial AFCON, the success of the Flamingos highlights the growing competitiveness and global reach of African women’s football, providing a narrative of progress that complements the administrative decisions made by the Executive Committee.
The upcoming AFCON is scheduled to be held in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from 19 June to 17 July 2027. Motsepe has called for a “heightened sense of urgency” to ensure that stadiums and supporting infrastructure are ready on time, including the inauguration of Kenya’s new 60,000-seater Talanta Stadium, which is set to host a friendly between Ajax and Bayern Munich in January. With the AFCON final set to be played in 2027, and the next edition following just one year later in 2028, CAF faces the challenge of managing a congested calendar while maintaining the financial and developmental integrity of the game.
