The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has been dealt a major blow after Ivory Coast withdrew as host of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), just weeks before the tournament’s kickoff.
According to AfricaSoccer.com, the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) confirmed the decision on March 25, 2025, after receiving a letter from the Ivorian government citing an “impossibility of hosting” the competition. While the exact reasons remain undisclosed, reports suggest financial and logistical difficulties played a key role.
CAF Faces Urgent Search for New Host
FIF President Yacine Idriss Diallo, who also chaired the tournament’s organizing committee, expressed regret over the situation but extended gratitude to all involved in the preparatory efforts. He assured stakeholders that CAF would soon outline its next steps.
With the tournament originally scheduled to take place from April 26 to May 18, 2025, CAF now faces the urgent task of securing a replacement host to prevent disruption.
Meanwhile, Ghana, one of the qualified teams, continues its preparations in Morocco as uncertainty looms over the tournament’s new venue.
