The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe expressed confidence in the success of the tournament, predicting it would be the best in AFCON history.
The announcement, made during a virtual executive committee meeting in Cairo, came after extensive discussions to accommodate international and domestic match schedules.
Originally slated for June and July 2025, the tournament was rescheduled to avoid conflicting with the inaugural Club World Cup in the United States and the UEFA Champions League’s resumption on January 21, 2026.
However, the new dates could pose challenges for Premier League clubs, as the tournament coincides with the busy Christmas-New Year period.
English media reports suggest clubs may be reluctant to release African players, citing regulations that require player release for only one international tournament per year, with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.
CAF, however, may argue that it is the 2025 AFCON, despite the majority of the tournament occurring in 2026.
Scheduling the AFCON has become increasingly complex, with efforts to avoid clashes with European club seasons.
The mid-year schedule worked for the 2019 edition in Egypt, but finding suitable dates remains a challenge.
