The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially set the dates for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, which will take place in Morocco. The championship is now scheduled to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
This decision was made during a virtual meeting held by the CAF executive committee. Initially, the tournament was planned for the January-February period, but congested fixtures and scheduling conflicts made the timeframe unfeasible.
The qualifying series for the 2026 World Cup occupies available windows, preventing the 24 AFCON finalists from emerging before January 2025.
Morocco had proposed hosting the tournament in the summer of 2025. However, the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, also scheduled for summer 2025, rendered this option impractical.
Other concerns for CAF include scheduling the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco this year, which has yet to be dated, and finding hosts for the annual Women’s Champions League.
The confirmed dates for AFCON 2025 provide clarity for teams and fans, ensuring that the prestigious tournament will proceed smoothly amidst a crowded international football calendar.
Source/ckdmedia
