By D.W.G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has announced significant scheduling changes for its premier tournaments. The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will be held from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco, while the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) has been postponed to July 2025.
December January Afcon for the First Time
The 2025 Afcon marks the first instance where the tournament will start in December, overlapping with the Premier League's festive fixtures and the Uefa Champions League rounds. This 24 team event will span the Christmas and New Year period, presenting a unique challenge for player availability given the congested club and international calendars. Caf previously intended to stage the tournament during the European off season, but the new dates were chosen to avoid a clash with Fifa's inaugural 32 team Club World Cup in June and July 2025.
Concerns have arisen regarding the willingness of European clubs to release players for the 2025 Afcon, with Fifa's regulations stating clubs are not required to release players for more than one international competition per year. This rule could complicate player participation in both the Nations Cup and the World Cup, which will take place in June and July 2026 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Caf President Patrice Motsepe acknowledged the complexities involved in scheduling the tournament, citing "challenging discussions" with Uefa, Fifa, and the European Club Association. Despite these difficulties, Motsepe emphasized Caf's commitment to protecting African player's interests and ensuring the global competitiveness of African football.
The qualifying draw for the 2025 Afcon will occur on July 4, with matches scheduled for September, October, and November. Although hosts Morocco will participate in the draw, their automatic qualification means only one team from their group will secure a spot in the tournament.
Postponed Women's Africa Cup of Nations
The postponement of the 2024 Wafcon to July 2025 has sparked debate about Caf’s commitment to women's football. The 2020 edition was canceled due to the COVID 19 pandemic, whereas the men's 2021 tournament was only postponed. This delay affects teams like Nigeria and Zambia, which will compete in the Paris Olympics this July and August, further complicating the scheduling.
Desire Oparanozie, a Nigerian international, voiced her concerns, stating that the delay could significantly hinder the progress of women's football in Africa. She emphasized the need for prioritizing women's tournaments to ensure steady development.
South Africa's women's team coach, Desiree Ellis, also criticized the handling of the Wafcon scheduling, expressing disappointment over potential postponement or cancellation. Despite these criticisms, Caf President Motsepe expressed confidence in the success of the 2024 Wafcon in Morocco, highlighting the growth of women's football on the continent.
As qualifying for the 2024 Wafcon concluded last December, players and coaches will have waited over 18 months by the time the tournament commences, underscoring the prolonged anticipation and preparation required for the rescheduled event.