AFCON: CAF President speaks on FIFA influence over tournament plans

President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe, has dismissed claims that FIFA influenced CAF’s decision to stage the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) every four years instead of the traditional two-year cycle.

Motsepe admitted that CAF failed to properly communicate the decision but insisted it was taken independently and in the best interest of African football.

The controversial move, announced last month, sparked backlash across the continent, with several football stakeholders alleging that FIFA president Gianni Infantino pressured Africa into adopting a four-year format, a proposal he openly supported years ago.

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, ahead of the AFCON final between Morocco and Senegal in Rabat, Motsepe rejected the allegations.

“We didn’t do a good enough job at CAF in preparing the ground on this Afcon every four years,” he said. “But this is the right decision.”

Motsepe confirmed that the four-year AFCON cycle will take effect after 2028, alongside the introduction of an African Nations League in 2029.

“We must free ourselves as Africans and have more confidence in ourselves. It should not be about FIFA says this or UEFA says that,” he added.

He explained that AFCON was previously held every two years because it accounted for nearly 80 per cent of CAF’s revenue, but insisted the new Nations League would generate even more income.

“The revenue of the Afcon is significantly less than what we have implemented for the African Nations League. We are absolutely convinced it will work,” Motsepe said.

Despite the criticism, the CAF president maintained that African football would benefit in the long run, urging fans and stakeholders to be patient.

“In two or three years, people will see what we are talking about,” he said.