President of Africa’s governing football body (CAF) Dr. Patrice Motsepe, has dismissed talk of preventing Morocco from hosting the upcoming AFCON.
The North African nation is set to host the competition from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026 with 24 nations set to compete in the continental championship.
However, there have been concerns raised over the Moroccan authorities handling of protests against the government over what they believe are misplaced priorities with the country seemingly paying more attention to building stadiums to host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Portugal and Spain.
At the time of writing, two people have been confirmed dead with several individuals injured as protest continue over education reforms and rising unemployment and over 12 international human rights groups have condemned the handling of the protests that have generated slogans such as “Dignity before Stadiums”.
Speaking at the 47th Ordinary Congress (that has FIFA President Gianni Infantino present) which is taking place in Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dr. Motsepe ruled out the possibility of replacing Morocco as the host nation for this year’s AFCON.
“For me, our position is clear because Morocco is Plan A, Morocco is Plan B and Morocco is Plan C. We are absolutely confident. CAF will cooperate and work together with the government, the people and all the citizens of Morocco to host the most successful AFCON in history” Dr. Motsepe said while responding to a question on the subject” according to African football expert Micky Jnr.
Ghana’s Black Stars won’t compete in the 2025 AFCON after failing to qualify to the tournament for the first time since 2004.
