Join on WhatsApp
Join on Telegram
Rabat – A few days after Morocco won the hosting rights of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Confederation of African Football ( CAF) is actively pushing for the North African country to host the continental tournament during the summer months of June and July.
Serious discussions are currently underway between CAF and FIFA regarding the scheduling of the 2025 edition of CAN, slated to be held in Morocco, Ahmed Yahya, the second vice-president of CAF, indicated on Monday evening during an interview on Canal + Sport Africa.
He disclosed that CAN 2025 would in principle take place in the summer months, shedding light on the ongoing negotiations between FIFA and CAF to harmonize their respective schedules.
“At the CAF level, we are aware that there is the Club World Cup in 2025, and there are negotiations between CAF and FIFA to find solutions,” Yahya stated.
“What is certain is that we are looking for the interest of the AFCON, which is to play in the summer because it is there that we have the opportunity to have free players, more than in January.” He emphasized that potential solutions can still be found with FIFA to align their objectives.
Addressing concerns about the sweltering summer climate in Morocco, Yahya cited the successful organization of the Women’s African Cup of Nations, which was held in July last year.
Scheduling evening and late afternoon matches could mitigate the impact of high temperatures, he suggested, stressing: “Morocco has the same temperature as Europe. We manage to play the European Cup in the summer without any problem. It’s playable in the summer.”
Read also: Fouzi Lekjaa Says Morocco’s Hosting of CAN-2025 Is ‘Crowning Achievement’
Notably, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is also slated to take place during the summer of 2025. This tight timeframe leaves CAF with only a few months to convince FIFA to adjust the competition calendar, as the Club World Cup is initially planned to be hosted in the United States.
The proposal to hold CAN 2025 in the summer has ignited a spirited debate among football enthusiasts, as the tournament’s success hinges on navigating the challenges posed by the weather while maintaining the integrity and competitiveness of the event.
