The recent decision of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to postpone the 2025 African Cup of Nations (CAN) to 2026 in Morocco has sparked numerous reactions and questions within the international sports community. This announcement comes in a context marked by major changes in the global football landscape, including the holding of the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States in 2025.
CAF thus justified this postponement due to the concordance of the international and national competition calendars, as well as the new tournament formats put in place by world sporting bodies. This decision is part of a desire to preserve the interests of African players, playing both within European clubs and on the international scene.
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe expressed confidence in the success of the future CAN 2026, affirming that it would be the best in the history of the competition. He underlined the complex nature of the negotiations with the various parties involved, while emphasizing the importance of protecting and advancing African football on a global scale.
However, this postponement has also raised criticism, in particular from certain African athletes who fear the physical consequences of this series of high-level competitions. CAF’s decision to comply with the demands of FIFA and UEFA has been questioned, with some denouncing a position that could weaken African players.
Furthermore, the postponement of the African Women’s Cup of Nations from 2024 to 2025 in Morocco reinforces uncertainties regarding the organization and management of sports calendars on a continental scale. This decision highlights the need for African football governing bodies to find a balance between the interests of the different competitions and the well-being of the players.
Ultimately, this postponement of CAN 2025 raises crucial questions about the future of African football and the challenges that CAF will have to face to ensure the development and competitiveness of sport on the continent. It highlights the complex issues linked to the organization of international and national competitions, as well as the need to find balanced solutions to guarantee the success and sustainability of African football.
With this, the world of African football is preparing for a CAN 2026 full of promises and challenges, with the ambition of making this competition an unforgettable moment for fans of this sport on the continent and beyond.