How Often is AFCON: The African Cup of Nations (AFCON) is one of the most prestigious football tournaments in the world, showcasing the continent’s best talent and providing exciting moments for fans across Africa and beyond. However, for many, understanding the tournament’s scheduling and how often it takes place can be somewhat confusing. In this article, we’ll dive into the specifics of how often AFCON is held, its history, and its significance in African football. Additionally, we will explore how the competition has evolved over the years, addressing common questions surrounding its frequency, format, and impact.
The Origins of AFCON
The African Cup of Nations, established in 1957, was created to provide a platform for African nations to compete at the continental level in football. The idea came to fruition when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) was founded, and it was clear that Africa needed its own tournament to showcase its football prowess.
The inaugural AFCON was a small affair, with only three teams participating: Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. However, as the years went by, more countries became involved, and the tournament grew in size and importance, reflecting the rapidly improving football scene across Africa.
AFCON’s Initial Frequency
When AFCON first began, it was held every two years, a schedule that remained in place for many years. This biennial format helped the competition become a staple of African football, with each edition showcasing the continent’s growing footballing talent. It allowed nations to regularly engage in high-level competition and contributed to the popularity of the tournament across Africa.
AFCON’s Recent Schedule: Transition to Every Four Years
In 2017, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) made a significant decision to change the frequency of the tournament. The shift from a biennial event to a quadrennial one (every four years) was made in an effort to improve the quality of the tournament and align it with the scheduling of major international football events, such as the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship.
This change was part of CAF’s broader vision to raise the profile of African football, streamline the competition schedule, and reduce player fatigue, particularly in the years leading up to World Cup qualifiers. As a result, AFCON is now held every four years, with the tournament typically taking place in the mid-year months, such as June and July, although exact dates can vary.
The Impact of COVID-19 on AFCON’s Schedule
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted sports events globally, and AFCON was not immune to these challenges. The 2021 edition of the tournament, which was originally scheduled for 2021, was postponed to 2022 due to the global health crisis and the safety concerns it raised. As a result, this delayed the tournament and led to questions about whether future editions would follow the same four-year cycle or revert to a biennial format. However, the 2022 AFCON went ahead as planned in Cameroon in early 2022, reinforcing the notion that the quadrennial schedule was here to stay.
Looking Ahead: Future AFCON Editions
As of 2025, AFCON is expected to continue its four-year cycle. The next edition, following the 2022 tournament, will take place in 2023, and subsequent tournaments will be scheduled accordingly. The flexibility and adaptability of CAF will continue to play a role in shaping the tournament’s future, ensuring that it remains a premier event in the African football calendar.
Expansion to 24 Teams
In 2017, another important change to AFCON’s format was announced. CAF decided to expand the tournament to include 24 teams, up from the previous 16-team format. This decision was made to give more nations an opportunity to participate and showcase their talent on the continental stage. The expanded format saw an increase in the number of matches, making the tournament more exciting and competitive.
The 24 teams are divided into six groups of four teams each. The top two teams from each group, as well as the four best third-placed teams, advance to the knockout rounds, which include the Round of 16, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the final match to determine the champion.
This expansion was widely seen as a positive move, as it allowed nations like Madagascar and Mauritania, who had historically struggled to qualify, to compete on the big stage. The increased number of teams also means more representation from different African regions, promoting unity and solidarity within the continent.
The Road to AFCON: Qualification Process
Before the tournament itself, teams must go through a rigorous qualification process to secure a spot in the competition. The qualification process is typically held over a series of years, and teams must finish in the top spots of their respective groups to earn a ticket to the final tournament. The qualification system is designed to ensure that only the best teams from across the continent make it to AFCON, ensuring the level of competition is always high.
Some of the standout teams in African football, such as Egypt, Nigeria, and Cameroon, are often seen as favorites, while up-and-coming nations like Senegal and Algeria have also made a mark in recent years.
In Summary
So, how often is AFCON? It is held every four years, following a major shift in 2017 when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) moved the tournament from a biennial to a quadrennial format. This change has allowed AFCON to align more closely with other major international tournaments, like the World Cup, and has provided players with more time to recover and prepare. Despite the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, AFCON continues to be a cornerstone of African football, with its rich history, cultural significance, and growing impact on the global stage.
FAQs
How often is the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) held?
AFCON is now held every four years. This change came into effect after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced in 2017 that the tournament would transition from a biennial format (every two years) to a quadrennial one. The goal was to reduce player fatigue and better align with the scheduling of other international tournaments like the FIFA World Cup.
Why did AFCON change from every two years to every four years?
The decision to switch to a four-year cycle was made to help African players recover and perform better in major international tournaments, particularly the FIFA World Cup. By spacing out AFCON, CAF also aimed to give countries more time to develop their teams and improve the overall quality of the tournament. This change allows teams to focus on other competitions like World Cup qualifiers, reducing the overlap and potential fatigue from too many major tournaments.
When was the last AFCON held and when is the next one?
The most recent edition of AFCON took place in 2022 (delayed from its original 2021 schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The next edition is expected to be held in 2023, continuing the new four-year cycle. The tournament will be hosted by Ivory Coast, with dates still to be confirmed.
Has AFCON always been held every four years?
No, AFCON was originally held every two years since its inception in 1957. This biennial schedule continued until 2017, when CAF made the decision to move it to a four-year cycle to improve the tournament’s competitiveness and global impact.
What impact did the COVID-19 pandemic have on AFCON?
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the scheduling of AFCON. The 2021 tournament, originally set for 2021, was postponed to 2022 due to health concerns and restrictions. This created some uncertainty about the timing of future editions, but CAF has since confirmed that the quadrennial format would be maintained.
How many teams participate in AFCON now?
The African Cup of Nations now features 24 teams, a change implemented in 2019 to give more countries a chance to compete. Before that, only 16 teams participated. The 24 teams are divided into six groups of four teams, with the top two teams from each group, as well as the four best third-placed teams, advancing to the knockout stage.
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