As anticipated, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially rescheduled the African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2025 to be held in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. This decision follows the earlier announcement of the Club World Cup scheduled for the summer of 2025. It marks the third consecutive postponement of the tournament, following CAN 2021 in Cameroon and CAN 2023 in Côte d’Ivoire.
Additionally, the CAF Executive Committee (EXCO) has unveiled the dates for the CAF Total Energies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (“WAFCON”), which will also take place in Morocco.
Initially, CAF had planned to host CAN 2025 in July-August 2025 to avoid overlap with the 32-team Club World Cup scheduled from June 15 to July 13, 2025, in the United States. However, logistical challenges during the congested summer period prompted the postponement. Despite CAF’s recent denial of rumors, General Secretary Veron Mosengo-Omba hinted at the possibility in an interview with AFP, noting that discussions were underway and a decision would be announced “soon.” The postponement is now confirmed.
The 35th edition of CAN, to be hosted in Morocco, will be historic for its extended schedule spanning two calendar years, starting on December 21, 2025, and concluding on January 18, 2026.
This departure from the traditional CAN schedule, which typically starts in early January and ends in early February, is unprecedented. The reason for this change is to avoid any overlap with the newly introduced UEFA Champions League format, which will be implemented in 2024. Under the new format, the C1 group stage’s sixth matchday will conclude in mid-December, and the seventh matchday will commence around January 21.
This adjustment aims to ensure that players involved in European leagues and competing in the UEFA Champions League can also represent their national teams without encountering scheduling conflicts.
CAF has shown a history of modifying its original schedules since CAN 2012, indicating a consistent pattern of adaptation.