Africa / 2025 Africa Cup of nations postponed: A rescheduling of the calendar
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced a major change in the schedule of the next Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), originally planned for the summer of 2025 in Morocco. This iconic competition will now be postponed to early 2026, a decision made to resolve a scheduling conflict with the new Club World Cup.
Veron Mosengo-Omba, CAF Secretary General, confirmed this reversal on Wednesday, highlighting logistical imperatives and player health considerations as the main motivations behind the postponement.
The upcoming Club World Cup, scheduled from June 15 to July 13, 2025, in the United States, will feature 32 teams, including four African clubs: Al-Ahly, Wydad Casablanca, Espérance Tunis, and Mamelodi Sundowns. The participation of many African players, playing in clubs worldwide, adds an international dimension to this major football event.
The decision to delay AFCON aims to ensure optimal conditions for the players, avoiding an overload of matches and preserving their physical and mental well-being. “We had to consider all stakeholders involved, from players to supporters, including clubs and national federations, to arrive at the best possible solution”, stated Mosengo-Omba.
While this postponement may disappoint the organizers in Morocco, who had anticipated significant economic benefits from the event, it nonetheless offers undeniable advantages. By avoiding the highest summer temperatures, matches will be played in more favorable conditions, ensuring a better sporting spectacle.
