The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has unveiled plans to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco during the winter months, marking a significant shift in the tournament’s traditional schedule.
The competition is set to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, encompassing the Christmas and New Year period for the first time in its history.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe stated, “This decision reflects our commitment to adapting to the evolving global football calendar while showcasing African football at its best.”
The 24-team tournament will coincide with the Premier League’s busy festive fixture list and overlap with UEFA Champions League matches, potentially causing scheduling conflicts for clubs and players alike.
This scheduling shift comes in response to FIFA’s inaugural 32-team Club World Cup, which is slated to occupy the June-July slot in 2025 that CAF had previously aimed to secure for AFCON.
The move highlights the increasing challenge of finding suitable windows for international tournaments amidst an increasingly congested global football calendar.
In addition to the men’s tournament, CAF announced that the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), also to be held in Morocco, has been postponed until July 5-26, 2024.
The winter scheduling of AFCON 2025 raises concerns about player availability, as European clubs may be reluctant to release their African stars during a crucial part of their domestic seasons.
FIFA regulations state, “It is not compulsory to release the same player for more than one ‘A’ representative team final competition per year.”
This could force players to choose between AFCON and the 2026 World Cup, scheduled for June-July 2026 in North America.
Football analyst John Smith commented, “This scheduling creates a significant dilemma for African players in Europe. They may face pressure from their clubs to prioritize domestic competitions over the AFCON.”
The issue of player release has already sparked debate within the football community. The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has joined a legal action against FIFA over what they describe as an “overloaded and unworkable” football calendar.
PFA Chief Executive Maheta Molango expressed concern, saying, “The continuous expansion of the football calendar without proper consideration for player welfare is unsustainable and needs to be addressed urgently.”
As the football world grapples with these scheduling challenges, the 2025 AFCON promises to be a landmark event, not only for its winter timing but also for its potential impact on the broader landscape of international football.
