The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), initially slated for June, will be rescheduled to avoid overlapping with the expanded Club World Cup, according to CAF General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba.
The tournament, which was won by the Ivory Coast in February 2023, was set to take place in Morocco in June 2025. However, this date clashes with the newly expanded 32-team Club World Cup, scheduled from June 15 to July 13 in the United States, where four African teams are expected to compete.
“For the men, we need to make sure that the dates we choose will be in the best interests of the players,” Mosengo-Omba told BBC Sport Africa. “Balancing different aspects and consulting with our partners is crucial. Scheduling is a nightmare for everybody.”
Mosengo-Omba highlighted the challenges of holding the AFCON immediately after the Club World Cup. “We can play after the Club World Cup, but is this good for the interests of the players who have played all season, then travel to America, and immediately come to play AFCON?”
The CAF General Secretary also addressed the upcoming 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, noting the potential scheduling conflict with the Olympic Games. “We are supposed to play this year, but we have teams engaged in the Olympics, so we have to find another date,” he added. Discussions with UEFA, the European Club Association, and FIFA are ongoing to determine a suitable date.
The decision to reschedule the 2025 AFCON underscores the complexities of international sports scheduling and the need to prioritize player welfare amidst overlapping tournaments. The new dates for both the men’s and women’s tournaments will be announced soon, following further consultations with stakeholders and partners.
