The Confederation of African Football (CAF) faces a significant challenge as Ivory Coast withdraws as host of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), just weeks before the tournament, according to AfricaSoccer.com.
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) announced on March 25, 2025, that Ivory Coast would no longer host the 2025 U-20 AFCON, citing an “impossibility of hosting” in a letter from the government—a decision that has come as a surprise.
The exact reasons are uncertain, but speculation suggests financial and logistical difficulties.
FIF President Yacine Idriss Diallo, who also led the tournament’s organizing committee, expressed regret over the decision while appreciating everyone involved in the preparations.
He reassured stakeholders that CAF would soon announce its next steps.
Originally scheduled for April 26 to May 18, 2025, the tournament now requires CAF to swiftly secure a new host to prevent disruptions.
Ghana, one of the qualified teams, is currently in Morocco gearing up for the tournament.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Christian Kobby Quarshie
