CAF have been quick to address recent reports suggesting a potential postponement of the 2025 AFCON. These rumours hinted at a shift to January 2026.
The next continental showpiece is scheduled for June in Morocco. However, reports on the continent suggest that the tournament has been moved back due to a “scheduling nightmare.”
There are also concerns that the tournament will clash with the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, which is set to be held in the United States of America [USA] between June 15 and July 13. Four African teams have been invited to participate.
AFCON 2025 IN MOROCCO TO BE MOVED BY SIX MONTHS?
CAF secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba was quoted by BBC Sport Africa as saying they need to look at the workload of 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 MOVING CONTINENTAL SHOWPIECE
But the continental football motherbody on Wednesday said they are yet to meet to decide on AFCON 2025 dates.
“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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