The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has postponed the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations, which was scheduled to be held in Morocco in the summer of 2025, to early 2026.
This was announced by CAF Secretary General Veron Mosengo-Omba on Wednesday.
This move aims to avoid a clash between the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA Club World Cup, which will be held in the United States from June 15 to July 13.
The Club World Cup, with its new format, will feature 32 teams, including four African clubs: Al Ahly (Egypt), Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), Esperance de Tunis (Tunisia), and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa).
A large number of African players are also expected to participate with their European and Asian clubs in the Club World Cup.
The French newspaper L'Equipe reported on its website that when inquiring from CAF about how to coordinate between the two tournaments, the Secretary General indicated the postponement of the continental tournament.
Omba said, "We can play the Africa Cup of Nations after the Club World Cup, but would it be in the interest of the players who have had a long season to go to America and then quickly return to participate in the Cup of Nations?"
The French newspaper pointed out that postponing the tournament is not in the interest of Morocco, which intended to benefit from the Cup of Nations to boost the tourism industry, but the postponement will spare everyone from playing in high temperatures during the summer.
