January 15 – The dates for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals, scheduled for Morocco, are up in the air because of a potential clash with the new-look Club World Cup.
The last two AFCON tournaments have taken place in January-February because of concerns over the rainy season in Cameroon and Ivory Coast but the plan is to revert back to mid-year for 2025.
That was the commitment made by the Confederation of African Football to avoid disputes with European clubs over releasing players in the middle of their season.
But a major spanner has been thrown into the works by FIFA’s expanded 32-team Club World Cup which is scheduled to be held in the United States in June and July 2025.
CAF held every Afcon from 1968 to 2017 in the first three months of the year and CAF boss Patrice Motsepe hinted that 2025 would have to be shifted back despite the pledge to play it in June/July.
“We want the Cup of Nations to take place when it is most favourable and convenient for the tournament,” he said. “We are still engaging with FIFA about the dates.”
To complicate matters further, two African sides, Al Ahly of Egypt and Morocco’s Wydad Casablanca, have already qualified for the 32-team Club World Cup. Players from both clubs are traditionally selected by their national teams.
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