The Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially awarded Morocco the hosting rights for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on September 27, 2025, after the original host nation, Guinea, was stripped of the tournament due to unprepared infrastructure. The decision followed a meeting of the CAF Executive Committee.
Following the announcement, Moroccan football authorities and media have reported a significant increase in online disinformation campaigns and coordinated social media criticism targeting the country's successful bid. Analysts note these campaigns often originate from accounts outside the continent and seek to question the legitimacy of the hosting decision.
Common narratives within these campaigns include unfounded allegations of bias in the CAF's selection process and attempts to reignite diplomatic tensions between Morocco and other African nations. Fact-checking organizations have debunked several viral claims, such as falsified documents purporting to show procedural violations.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe has consistently defended the decision, citing Morocco's existing world-class infrastructure and proven capability to host major tournaments at short notice, as it did for the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2022 African Women's Cup of Nations. The Moroccan Royal Football Federation (FRMF) has denounced the disinformation as a coordinated attempt to tarnish the country's reputation.
