The president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Patrice Motsepe has expressed firm confidence that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will proceed as scheduled in Morocco, despite ongoing anti-government protests in the North African country.
For over a week, thousands of young Moroccans have taken to the streets daily, demanding an end to corruption, improved social services and reforms in education and healthcare. The protests have intensified public pressure on the government amid growing discontent over social and economic inequality.
The AFCON tournament is set to run from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, across nine venues in Morocco, with 24 teams competing for Africa’s most prestigious football title. Star players such as Mohamed Salah of Egypt, Nicholas Jackson of Senegal and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco are expected to feature prominently.
Speaking in Kinshasa during CAF’s annual assembly, Motsepe assured that the continental football body is fully committed to ensured that the event goes as planned without disruption.
“We are absolutely confident the AFCON will go ahead as planned,” Motsepe said. “Morocco is plan A, Morocco is plan B, and Morocco is plan C.”
He added that CAF will continue working closely with the Moroccan government and citizens to deliver what he described as “the most successful AFCON in history.”
Morocco last hosted the tournament in 1988 when it was an eight-team competition. The country had also been selected to host the 2015 edition but withdrew due to concerns over the Ebola outbreak at the time.
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