African football's governing body CAF have reached an agreement with FIFA to reschedule 2025 AFCON.
Africa Cup Nations was usually a middle-year tournament but the past past two editions of the tournament have been staged in January.
It was learned CAF were making moves to return the tournament to its normal schedule but needed approval from FIFA, who were already gearing up for the maiden edition of the revamped and extended FIFA Club World Cup scheduled to kick off on June 15, 2025.
CAF were set on a collision route with FIFA Club World Cup if they had move the tournament to mid-year but the body were plunged into a dilemma already.
It was understood that staging the AFCON 2025 edition in January will pose a challenge to organizers of the tournament with regards to kicking off and completing the qualifiers before the tournament kicks off.
Returning it to a middle-year event was the most apt move in this case, hence CAF had been reportedly locked in talks with FIFA for a way out.
Now, according to a report from AFP, a CAF official and member of the AFCON 2025 organizing committee has revealed that an agreement has been finally reached with FIFA to move the tournament from January to July 20 to August 16 or 17, 2025.
Speaking on conditions of anonymity, the source said;
"This agreement was found with the support of FIFA after talks that began several months ago and which intensified during the last edition which finished this month in Ivory Coast."
"The dates currently proposed are July 20-August 16 or 17, 2025."
The new date means the African footballing showpiece will kick off barely a month after the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup scheduled to take place in the USA on June 15, 2025.
Morocco, who reached the semifinal of the 2022 World Cup, will host the tournament. Ivory Coast are reigning African champions after defeating Nigeria to clinch their 3rd AFCON trophy. They will be hoping to defend the title in Morocco next year.
Africa Cup Nations was usually a middle-year tournament but the past past two editions of the tournament have been staged in January.
It was learned CAF were making moves to return the tournament to its normal schedule but needed approval from FIFA, who were already gearing up for the maiden edition of the revamped and extended FIFA Club World Cup scheduled to kick off on June 15, 2025.
CAF were set on a collision route with FIFA Club World Cup if they had move the tournament to mid-year but the body were plunged into a dilemma already.
It was understood that staging the AFCON 2025 edition in January will pose a challenge to organizers of the tournament with regards to kicking off and completing the qualifiers before the tournament kicks off.
Returning it to a middle-year event was the most apt move in this case, hence CAF had been reportedly locked in talks with FIFA for a way out.
Now, according to a report from AFP, a CAF official and member of the AFCON 2025 organizing committee has revealed that an agreement has been finally reached with FIFA to move the tournament from January to July 20 to August 16 or 17, 2025.
Speaking on conditions of anonymity, the source said;
"This agreement was found with the support of FIFA after talks that began several months ago and which intensified during the last edition which finished this month in Ivory Coast."
"The dates currently proposed are July 20-August 16 or 17, 2025."
The new date means the African footballing showpiece will kick off barely a month after the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup scheduled to take place in the USA on June 15, 2025.
Morocco, who reached the semifinal of the 2022 World Cup, will host the tournament. Ivory Coast are reigning African champions after defeating Nigeria to clinch their 3rd AFCON trophy. They will be hoping to defend the title in Morocco next year.