CAF sets July/August 2025 for the next Africa Cup of Nations

Oluwasegun SanusiFebruary 20, 20241 Mins read134

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has tentatively agreed to hold the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco in July and August next year.

This decision comes after uncertainties regarding the tournament’s scheduling left organisers scrambling to finalise dates amidst various considerations.

Earlier this month, CAF President Patrice Motsepe declined to confirm the dates for the upcoming AFCON, raising concerns about the feasibility of staging the tournament alongside the qualifying competition scheduled for January and February.

Proposed dates in June and July conflict with FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, slated to be held in North America.

However, following negotiations between CAF and the Moroccan Football Federation, a competition committee member told AFP that “an agreement in principle” had been reached to hold the AFCON during July and August 2025.

This agreement, supported by FIFA, emerged after months of discussions, notably during the recent AFCON edition held in Ivory Coast.

The proposed dates for the 2025 AFCON are July 20 to August 16 or 17, with Morocco as the host nation. The decision to settle on these dates aimed to avoid conflicting with other major football events while ensuring optimal conditions for the tournament.

Both of the last two AFCON tournaments experienced scheduling adjustments. The 2021 edition, set initially to be hosted by Cameroon, was rescheduled to January and February 2022. Similarly, the most recent edition, originally planned for June and July of the previous year, was postponed due to weather concerns.

It should be noted that the qualifying matches of the 2025 AFCON are yet to commence. A preliminary round is scheduled to kick off next month.