AFCON switch wins Infantino nod, but cash fears grow

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has got his long-pushed AFCON shake-up, with CAF set to move the tournament from every two years to a four-year cycle after the 2028 edition — a shift some member countries fear will hit them financially. AFCON is widely viewed as CAF’s biggest earner, with the competition estimated to generate around 80% of the confederation’s revenue, making the reduced frequency a major worry for federations and leagues.

Infantino previously labelled the two-year model “useless,” arguing a longer cycle would be better “at the commercial level” and help “project African football to the top of the world.” CAF president Patrice Motsepe said an annual African Nations League from 2029 would help plug the gap: “Now we will get financial resources every year.”