CAF denies AFCON postponement. African footballers. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has denied rumors that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco has been postponed.
Reports had suggested that the tournament was pushed forward by six months to early 2026 due to a scheduling conflict with the expanded 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S., set for June 15 to July 13, 2025.
“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,” CAF stated on its X handle on Wednesday.
CAF did not specify when the executive committee will meet, and the dates for the 2025 tournament have not yet been set.
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In earlier reports, CAF was asked about the scheduling conflict but did not provide a solution. General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba mentioned to the BBC that the tournament could be held in early 2026, raising concerns about player fatigue after the Club World Cup.
“Scheduling is a nightmare for everybody,” Mosengo-Omba told the BBC.
CAF has also faced criticism for not setting dates for this year’s women’s Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco and uncertainty surrounding the second edition of the African Football League. Last year, eight clubs competed for record prize money in a knockout format over two months. CAF President Patrice Motsepe promised the next edition would feature 24 teams, but CAF recently announced that next season’s African Champions League and Confederation Cup group stages would take place from October to December, overlapping with the African Football League dates from last year.
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What is The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)?
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is the premier international football tournament in Africa, organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Established in 1957, it initially featured Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia, but has significantly expanded over the decades. The tournament comprises a qualification phase and a final competition, which currently includes 24 teams. The final stage consists of a group phase followed by knockout rounds. Held every two years since 1968, AFCON is highly prestigious, showcasing African football talent and contributing to the sport’s development on the continent.