I think the original decision had Gianni's fingerprints all over it but annoyed a lot of people within African football.
The two year policy was apparently always the case because African football does not generate major interest and money from regional club competitions - the article references funding being a major issue.
And historically the policy was adopted when CAF got very few places at a World Cup (they boycotted 1966 entirely over this) and the is an attitude from some of "if we played every two years when FIFA didn't want us, why should we change now they do apparently want us?"
I'm sure they do not give a damn about Premier League players disappearing for a few weeks, though that is where it crosses our path.
The 2027 competition is in June and July but I would expect more disruption in future years as it won't compete against the Club World Cup which is presumably in July 2029.
