Afcon

[hanworthbee]

Now back to every two years after recently confirmed as being every 4 years.


View: https://x.com/TheAthleticFC/status/2116101250311741673?a=lvCUXQ6lbbrBASen3d8&s=19

 

[nocoat]

 

[Jay Bee]

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.

 

[JANORAK]

If it’s every 2 years, then they need to get a shift on and finally decide who won the last one!

 

[hanworthbee]

So it’s every 2 years from 2028 which means it’s on in 2027 and then 2028 and presumably 2030? Wouldn’t it make more sense to be in non World Cup years ?

 

[Jay Bee]

So it’s every 2 years from 2028 which means it’s on in 2027 and then 2028 and presumably 2030? Wouldn’t it make more sense to be in non World Cup years ?

The quote in the article says "subsequent editions will be held in 2028, 2031, and 2033"

I don't know why 2028 is the anomaly. Often in recent years the tournament is planned for one year and takes in the January of the following year. e.g. AFCON 2023 took place in Jan-Feb 2024. Timing often depends on who is hosting.