CAF swiftly addressed recent rumors about a possible postponement of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Speculation had emerged suggesting that the tournament might be rescheduled to January 2026.
Despite these rumors, the next AFCON is officially set for June 2025 in Morocco. Reports circulating within the continent indicated that the tournament might be delayed due to a “scheduling nightmare.” However, CAF’s clarification aims to dispel these concerns and confirm that the original schedule remains intact.
There are additional concerns regarding a potential scheduling conflict between the AFCON tournament and the newly expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup. This tournament is scheduled to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13. Notably, four African teams have been invited to participate in the Club World Cup, further complicating the situation.
AFCON 2025 in Morocco to be Postponed by Six Months?
CAF Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba, quoted by BBC Sport Africa, mentioned the need to reconsider the schedule due to the workload faced by the continent’s elite players.
“For the men, we need to make sure that the dates that we’ll be choosing will be in the interests of the players,” said Mosengo-Omba.
“For this, we need to balance different aspects and also discuss with our partners and then we complete [the dates]. Scheduling is a nightmare for everybody.”
“We have a problem that we’re still discussing now with the same stakeholders and partners. The European Club Association, UEFA and FIFA,” added Mosengo-Omba.
“We can play after the Club World Cup. But is this good for the interests of the players who have played all the season and then they travel to America to immediately come to play AFCON?”
CAF Issues Official Statement on Reports of Rescheduling the Continental Showpiece
On Wednesday, the continental football governing body clarified that they have not yet convened to make a decision regarding the dates for AFCON 2025. Despite circulating reports, CAF emphasized that an official meeting to discuss the schedule is still pending.
“Reports on AFCON 2025 are untrue. The CAF Executive Committee will meet, deliberate and make a decision on the AFCON 2025 dates. CAF will thereafter issue an official statement on the matter,” said CAF.
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