The Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has publicly dismissed rumors of a potential postponement for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). In statements made in late 2025 and early 2026, Motsepe confirmed the tournament will proceed as scheduled in Morocco.
Speculation about a delay had circulated due to the expanded FIFA Club World Cup taking place in the United States in the summer of 2025, creating a congested calendar. However, CAF and FIFA have coordinated to ensure the continental championship maintains its planned January-February 2025 window.
This will be the second time Morocco hosts the men's AFCON, having last done so in 1988. The nation was also awarded the 2025 tournament after Guinea was stripped of hosting rights in 2022 due to infrastructure concerns.
The confirmation ends uncertainty for qualifying teams and fans. The draw for the final tournament is expected to take place in 2024, with the exact dates for the 2025 event to be finalized and announced by CAF and the Local Organizing Committee in the coming months.
