According to the Guardian, the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco might kick off in mid-December to accommodate the expanded Club World Cup and the new Champions League format next year. However, the Confederation of African Football (Caf) has denied any plans for shifting the tournament to a four-year cycle.
Initially planned for June and July 2025 to avoid conflicts with European clubs, the tournament’s timing was considered for January 2026 due to the Club World Cup. Yet, Caf refuted this, with the Club World Cup set in the U.S. from June 15 to July 13, 2025.
A final decision on the Afcon schedule is imminent within two weeks. Organizers in Morocco advocate for a mid-December start, ending in mid-January, despite potential conflicts with the Premier League’s busy festive period, involving 17 of its 20 clubs in the last tournament in Ivory Coast.
Further complicating matters are the two additional matchdays in the expanded Champions League, impacting the traditional Afcon window. While Caf sources haven’t ruled out a December start, negotiations are ongoing among stakeholders. Originally, a tentative agreement proposed holding the tournament from July 20 to August 17, 2025, to avoid the Club World Cup clash, but this option now seems uncertain.
Luxulo September, Caf’s head of media relations, clarified on X, “There is no Caf position or announcement on the dates for AFCON 2025. There are ongoing discussions between stakeholders to find common ground on dates.”
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