The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has reaffirmed its commitment to staging the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, despite growing anti-government protests in the country.
CAF President, Patrice Motsepe, made the declaration on Monday during the CAF Congress held in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Motsepe said the football body has full confidence in Morocco’s ability to deliver a successful tournament, dismissing any suggestion of a change in host nation.
“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. CAF will work closely with the Moroccan government and its people to host the most successful AFCON in history.”
The North African country is scheduled to host the continental showpiece from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, with 24 national teams expected to compete across nine venues.
However, there have been mounting protests in several Moroccan cities, with mostly young citizens criticizing the government’s heavy spending on sports infrastructure for AFCON 2025 and the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which Morocco will co-host.
Protesters have accused authorities of neglecting key sectors like healthcare and education, chanting slogans such as, “We want hospitals, not stadiums.”
Despite the unrest, CAF maintains that preparations for the tournament are on track and that Morocco remains its sole host nation.
