Search on for New U20 AFCON Host After Ivory Coast Pulls Out

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is currently in a state of urgency as they search for a new host for the 2025 U20 AFCON tournament. This sudden need for a new host comes after Ivory Coast made the unexpected decision to withdraw from hosting the tournament just 30 days before it was scheduled to begin. This announcement, made by the Ivorian Football Federation, has sent shockwaves through the African football community.

Ivory Coast was initially confirmed as the host nation for the tournament back in December 2024, despite not initially qualifying for the event. This withdrawal has not only disrupted the preparations for the tournament but has also put Ivory Coast at risk of facing severe penalties from CAF. These penalties could potentially include exclusion from participating in the next two U20 AFCON tournaments.

The U20 AFCON tournament for men’s football was set to take place from April 26 to May 18, 2025. However, with Ivory Coast’s sudden withdrawal, there is uncertainty surrounding whether CAF will need to delay the biennial event in order to find a new host. This situation has put CAF in a race against time to secure a suitable host nation and ensure that the tournament can proceed as planned.

As the search for a new host for the 2025 U20 AFCON tournament intensifies, CAF is working tirelessly to find a solution to this unexpected setback. The successful hosting of the tournament is crucial for the development of young football talent in Africa, and CAF is committed to ensuring that the event goes ahead smoothly. Stay tuned for further updates as CAF continues its search for a new host for the 2025 U20 AFCON tournament.