CAF ‘clarifies’ reports about change of dates for AFCON 2025

The Africa Cup of Nations trophy

CAF ‘clarifies’ reports about change of dates for AFCON 2025

Joel Omotto 20:40 - 05.06.2024

Confederation of African Football has shed light on the controversy surrounding the kick off dates for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

Confederation of African Football (CAF) has denied that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will be delayed for six months following reports of another change of date on Wednesday.

CAF general secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba was quoted saying that scheduling for the tournament, set to take place in Morocco, is a nightmare owing to various events next summer, necessitating a six-month delay.

"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 play (and then) immediately come to play AFCON?," Mosengo-Omba told the BBC, adding, "Scheduling is a nightmare for everybody.”

However, CAF has now come out to ‘clarify’ the issue, insisting the matter is yet to be discussed.

“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 official statement on the matter,” CAF said via a social media post on Wednesday.

The 2025 tournament is due to be played next June but that clashes with the expanded 32-team Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States from June 15-July 13.

Africa will have four teams at the Club World Cup and many of those players are likely to be picked for the AFCON.

Mosengo-Omba’s assertions meant the tournament would be held in early 2026 in what would be a blow to Morocco’s tourist industry and its desire to prove its ability to stage a major tournament ahead of the 2030 World Cup which the country will co-host with Portugal and Spain.