Yes, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is held every two years, making it one of the most frequently staged major continental football tournaments in the world.
Organised by the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), the CAF official website provides the tournament history and regulations of the AFCON that brings together Africa’s top national teams in a showcase of footballing excellence, national pride, and continental unity.
First staged in 1957, the tournament has evolved into a globally recognised competition, producing memorable matches and showcasing some of the finest talents in world football.
The biennial format of AFCON sets it apart from other continental tournaments like the UEFA European Championship or Copa América, which are held every four years.
CAF has consistently maintained the two-year cycle for several reasons—chief among them being the opportunity to provide more competitive fixtures for African teams and greater visibility for African players on the global stage.
The format also helps in generating regular revenue for CAF and its member associations through broadcast rights, sponsorships, and tourism.
For emerging football nations, it means more frequent exposure to high-level football, which can accelerate the growth and competitiveness of their national teams.
In 2017, CAF made a major change by moving the tournament from January–February to June–July, aligning it with the European off-season to avoid conflicts with club schedules.
However, the 2021 edition, hosted by Cameroon, reverted to January due to weather conditions, highlighting that logistical factors still influence scheduling.
The regularity of the tournament has drawn mixed reactions. Some European clubs and managers have expressed concerns, especially when key players leave mid-season for AFCON duty.
But African fans and federations largely support the format, viewing it as crucial for sustaining the growth of African football.
Attempts have been made to alter the frequency as reported byBBC Sport Africa . In 2013, for example, the tournament shifted to odd-numbered years to avoid clashing with the FIFA World Cup.
There have also been discussions about potentially moving to a four-year cycle, but no formal changes have been adopted, and AFCON continues on its two-year rhythm.
The most recent edition, AFCON 2023 (held in January 2024 due to calendar adjustments), was hosted in Côte d’Ivoire, with 24 teams participating and millions watching across the globe.
The next edition is scheduled for 2025 in Morocco, followed by the 2027 edition to be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Despite occasional postponements—like in 2021 due to COVID-19 and weather-related rescheduling—CAF has remained committed to the biennial format, arguing that it is essential for the development of the game across the continent.
In summary, AFCON remains a two-yearly spectacle that is vital to the identity, economics, and competitive progression of African football.
Despite occasional calls for change, its current frequency continues to serve both CAF’s development goals and the football-hungry fans of the continent.
