Despite the Confederation of African Football (CAF) President not giving a tentative date for the next Africa Cup of Nations, an agreement has been reached for the continental showpiece to be held in July and August of 2025.
Persecondnews reports that this will be the second time after 2019 that the tournament will take place during the northern hemisphere’s summer, in order to reduce scheduling conflicts with European club teams and competition.
A member of the competition committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said it has reached an agreement in principle for the 2025 Cup of Nations to be played in July and August next year in Morocco.
He said: “There is an agreement in principle between CAF and the Moroccan Football Federation for the AFCON to be held during the summer, more precisely in July and August 2025.”
However, playing it in June and July next year would mean a clash with FIFA’s expanded club, the World Cup, due to take place in North America.
He added: “This agreement was found with the support of FIFA after talks that began several months ago and intensified during the last edition, which finished this month in Ivory Coast,” the source added.
“The dates currently proposed are July 20–August 16 or 17, 2025.”
The last two Africa Cup of Nations were both pushed back from the original dates.
The 2021 tournament, hosted by Cameroon, was played in January and February of 2022.
The most recent edition had initially been planned for June and July last year but was rescheduled over weather concerns.
Qualifying for the 2025 AFCON has yet to start. A preliminary round is due to be played next month.
Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will all jointly host the 2027 Cup of Nations.
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