Official: CAF Reveals 2025 and 2027 AFCON Hosts
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially confirmed the hosts for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments.
In an exciting development, Morocco has been awarded the privilege to host the 2025 edition, while the 2027 tournament will witness a remarkable joint venture in East Africa.
This decision comes after a significant reshuffling of the hosting rights, indicating CAF’s commitment to ensuring the successful organization of these prestigious events.
Morocco Secures 2025 Hosting Rights
Guinea, initially slated to host the 2025 AFCON, faced the unfortunate loss of their hosting rights due to insufficient progress in tournament preparation.
President Patrice Motsepe made the difficult decision to reopen the bidding process, leading to a fervent competition among potential hosts. Morocco, Algeria, Nigeria/Benin, and Zambia entered the race, but Morocco eventually emerged as the chosen host.
This marks Morocco’s return to the AFCON stage as the host nation since 1988 when they stepped in as backup hosts after Zambia withdrew due to financial constraints.
Official: CAF Reveals 2025 and 2027 AFCON Hosts | image credit @ Afcon websiteThe decision not only reflects Morocco’s soccer prowess but also underscores their growing influence as a global soccer destination.
It follows their successful hosting of various junior tournaments and consecutive editions of the CAF Women’s Champions League tournaments.
East Africa’s Joint Venture for 2027
The excitement continues into 2027 as the tournament heads to East Africa, marking the region’s first opportunity to host AFCON since Ethiopia in 1976.
A noteworthy joint bid by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania emerged victorious over formidable competitors, including Senegal, Egypt, and Botswana.
This joint venture highlights the unity and collaborative spirit of East African nations as they prepare to showcase their passion for soccer and their ability to host a world-class sporting event.
The decision to award hosting rights to CECAFA reinforces the geographical diversity of AFCON and offers fans a unique opportunity to experience the tournament in a new setting.