The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced Egypt as the new host of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) following Côte d’Ivoire’s withdrawal from the tournament.
The announcement came on Thursday evening, with CAF citing “unforeseen circumstances” as the reason for Côte d’Ivoire’s decision to step down just a month before the tournament was set to begin.
Cote d’Ivoire Withdraws, Egypt Steps In
Côte d’Ivoire was initially scheduled to host the U-20 AFCON from April 26 to May 18, 2025. However, the country’s football federation (FIF) and government informed CAF of their inability to proceed with hosting duties due to logistical and operational challenges.
In response, CAF swiftly awarded the hosting rights to Egypt, ensuring the competition would proceed as planned. Egypt, which successfully hosted the previous edition of the U-20 AFCON, will now take up the responsibility again. As a result, the tournament has been rescheduled to begin on April 27, 2025.
CAF’s Statement on the Change
A statement released by CAF reads:
“The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) today awarded the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and the Egyptian Government the rights to host the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
“This is subsequent to CAF having been informed by the Fédération Ivoirienne de Football (FIF) and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire that due to unforeseen circumstances, they are unable to host the TotalEnergies CAF Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations 2025.”
Tournament Format and Flying Eagles’ Group Draw
The tournament will feature 12 teams divided into three groups, with the top two teams from each group automatically advancing to the quarter-finals. Additionally, the two best third-placed teams will also qualify for the knockout rounds.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles have been drawn into Group B alongside the new hosts, Egypt, as well as Morocco and South Africa. This group is expected to be highly competitive, with each team aiming for a spot in the knockout stages.
Qualification for the U-20 World Cup
The semi-finalists of the U-20 AFCON will earn automatic qualification for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in Chile. This adds further significance to the competition, as teams will not only be vying for continental glory but also for a place on the world stage.
Reactions to the Announcement
The decision to reassign the hosting rights to Egypt has been met with mixed reactions. While some stakeholders have praised CAF for acting swiftly to ensure the tournament proceeds as planned, others have raised concerns about the abrupt change affecting teams’ preparations.
Despite these concerns, Egypt has expressed its readiness to host the tournament, leveraging its experience from previous competitions, including the 2023 U-20 AFCON and the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Egyptian Football Association has assured CAF and participating teams that all necessary arrangements are being made to ensure a smooth and successful tournament.
Egypt’s Readiness and Tournament Expectations
Egypt’s ability to host major tournaments has been well-documented in recent years. The North African nation boasts top-class stadiums, world-class training facilities, and a rich footballing culture, making it a strong alternative to Côte d’Ivoire.
With just weeks to go before kick-off, all eyes will be on Egypt as teams finalize their preparations for the highly anticipated tournament. The competition is expected to showcase some of Africa’s best young football talents, with scouts from major European clubs likely to be in attendance.
As the countdown begins, participating nations will be keen to adjust to the new arrangements and put up strong performances to secure a place in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup. The tournament promises to deliver exciting football action and new stars who could shape the future of African football.
