Coupe d'Afrique : la CAN aura lieu désormais tous les quatre ans à partir de 2028
Coupe d'Afrique : The AFCON Set to Shift to a Four-Year Cycle Starting in 2028
The landscape of international football is constantly evolving, but few changes are as impactful as the one now trending across Africa and the global sporting community. For decades, the rhythm of African football has been defined by the biennial spectacle of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). That era is officially drawing to a close. Following intense deliberation and pressure from various stakeholders, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is reportedly finalizing a groundbreaking agreement to transition the continent's premier tournament to a four-year cycle, effective immediately following the 2026 edition.
I remember distinctly the chaos of January 2022. Like millions of fans globally, I was juggling my loyalties. Do I focus on the high-stakes European league games, or do I dedicate my mornings, afternoons, and evenings to the gripping drama unfolding in Cameroon? The *biennial schedule* always created this tension—a beautiful showcase of African talent but a brutal logistical headache for players, clubs, and the tournament organizers themselves. This decision to move AFCON to a quadrennial format is not just a scheduling change; it is a seismic shift aimed at aligning African football with the rest of the world, prioritizing player welfare, and maximizing commercial potential.
The news signals the end of the traditional two-year cadence that defined tournaments from the 1960s onward. Sources close to the CAF Executive Committee confirm that the formal ratification is imminent, paving the way for the first four-year cycle tournament to take place in 2028. This move is designed to address long-standing conflicts with the global football calendar, particularly the release of star players from major European clubs during peak season.
The Rationale Behind the Quadrennial Shift: Player Welfare and Global Alignment
For years, the structure of the *Coupe d'Afrique* placed immense pressure on both players and the governing bodies. Holding the tournament every two years, often conflicting with European winter schedules, led to heated disputes over player release, injuries, and subsequent fatigue. The new structure addresses several critical concerns that the previous biennial format could no longer sustain.
One of the primary drivers for the change is the synchronization with major global events. Currently, AFCON often clashes with the FIFA World Cup cycle or the UEFA European Championship, creating a crowded schedule that diminishes the profile of the AFCON outside of its core audience. By adopting a four-year cycle, similar to the Euros and the Copa America, the tournament ensures dedicated international spotlight and greater marketing opportunities.
Furthermore, player welfare was a non-negotiable factor. Modern elite footballers, many of whom compete in the Champions League, face grueling schedules. The constant pressure of playing a major international tournament every other year, often involving long-haul travel immediately followed by a return to club duties, contributed significantly to burnout and career-shortening injuries.
- Reduced Player Fatigue: Providing national team players with a longer break between major competitive tournaments.
- Better Club Cooperation: Easing tensions with European and global clubs regarding player release during mid-season.
- Increased Commercial Value: Rarity drives value. A four-year event is generally easier to market globally as an elite, must-see spectacle.
- Improved Host Preparation: Granting host nations four years instead of two significantly improves the timeline for essential infrastructure development (stadiums, transport, accommodation).
The decision signifies that CAF is prioritizing strategic, long-term stability over short-term revenue gains. The shift allows for dedicated development time between major tournaments, focusing resources on youth academies and strengthening domestic leagues—a vital step for the future growth of the sport across the continent.
Implementation Timeline: Navigating the Transition from 2024 to 2028
The transition to the new four-year format requires careful planning, especially concerning the 2024 and 2026 editions. The current schedule confirms that the 2024 tournament (hosted by Ivory Coast) will proceed as planned, maintaining the existing biennial sequence.
The critical divergence point occurs after the 2026 tournament. While initial discussions centered on whether to skip 2026 entirely, the current understanding suggests that the 2026 tournament will act as the final 'biennial' event. This ensures that the competitive structure remains intact until the new cycle is firmly established. Crucially, the 2028 edition will mark the start of the quadrennial format, setting the new schedule for future tournaments in 2032, 2036, and so forth.
This staggered implementation allows CAF and member associations sufficient time to recalibrate their qualification procedures, ensuring minimal disruption to the existing *FIFA International Windows* used for preliminary matches. Qualification cycles will now span longer periods, providing national team coaches greater stability to build cohesive squads rather than rushing preparations every 18 months.
Logistically, the four-year window also enables African nations to bid more competitively for hosting rights. Preparing world-class facilities to host 24 teams is a massive undertaking. The pressures seen in previous hosting bids—where timelines were constantly squeezed—should significantly ease. Countries like Morocco, Egypt, and South Africa, with proven infrastructure capabilities, can now face less pressure while emerging nations have a realistic timeframe to meet the stringent hosting standards set by the continent's governing body.
Future Implications: Boosting African Football's Global Standing
The decision to hold the AFCON every four years is arguably the biggest administrative change in African football this century. Its implications extend far beyond mere dates on a calendar; they affect commercial appeal, talent management, and the overall perception of the tournament on the world stage.
By making the tournament rarer, CAF intrinsically elevates its prestige. The Africa Cup of Nations will now sit alongside the Copa America and the Euros as a truly major, quadrennial event. This perceived elevation is essential for attracting top-tier sponsors and securing better media rights deals globally. Increased stability and a cleaner schedule mean broadcasters and advertisers are more likely to invest heavily, leading to greater revenue distribution among African football federations.
Furthermore, the four-year cycle provides a clearer path for global synchronization. Aligning AFCON schedules ensures that African football's peaks and troughs work in harmony with the FIFA World Cup and other intercontinental tournaments, maximizing the visibility of African players and teams when they compete on the global platform.
The new structure is expected to particularly benefit players who might have felt obligated to skip certain AFCON tournaments due to club pressure or persistent injuries. With more recovery time built into the system, national teams can expect their star players—the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Victor Osimhen—to arrive healthier and more motivated for international duty, resulting in a higher overall quality of competition.
The focus on long-term sustainability is a powerful message to the footballing world. CAF is showing that it is committed to maximizing the competitive edge of its national teams while safeguarding the careers of its most valuable assets. The transition to the quadrennial structure starting in 2028 marks a defining moment, one that promises a more refined, more impactful, and ultimately, more successful era for the Africa Cup of Nations.
This is a strategic victory for African football, positioning the *Coupe d'Afrique* not just as a regional championship, but as a universally respected pillar of the global sporting calendar.
Coupe d'Afrique : la CAN aura lieu désormais tous les quatre ans à partir de 2028
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