The Africa Cup of Nations has been rescheduled from June 2025 to early 2026, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced.
The decision was made to avoid a clash with the expanded 32-team Club World Cup, which will take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025.
Four African teams will participate in the Club World Cup, and many of these players are also expected to feature in the Africa Cup of Nations.
CAF’s general secretary, Veron Mosengo-Omba explained that the scheduling change is intended to protect the interests of the players, who would have been forced to play a demanding tournament schedule with little rest.
“We can play after the Club World Cup, but is this good for the interests of the players who have played all season and then travel to America to play and immediately come to play AFCON?”
Also read: Southgate Axes Maddison From England Squad