Gambia: Why FIFA, CAF Approve Morocco To Host 2025 AFCON In The Summer – Africa Links 24

Rédaction Africa Links 24 with babucarr balajo
Published on 2024-02-23 09:41:24

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and FIFA have granted approval for Morocco to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in the summer months of July and August. This decision comes after the push from CAF and the Morocco Royal Federation of Football (FRMF) to move the tournament to the summer due to the harsh winter conditions in the region.

In Morocco, January and February are typically cold, with average temperatures ranging from 13-17°C. The coastal areas experience slightly milder temperatures, averaging around 11-15°C. Recognizing the challenges posed by the cold weather during the traditional winter scheduling of the AFCON, the organizers believe that hosting the tournament in the summer will provide better playing conditions for the athletes.

After discussions between FIFA and CAF, it was agreed that the 2025 AFCON in Morocco will take place during the summer months, from mid-July to mid-August. This decision marks a departure from previous editions of the AFCON, which have always been held in the winter months of January and February.

The move to summer scheduling also addresses concerns about overlapping with the FIFA Club World Cup, which is set to take place in the summer of 2025 from June 15 to July 13. By moving the AFCON to the summer, both tournaments can be accommodated without conflicting schedules.

While hosting the AFCON in the summer offers more favorable playing conditions compared to winter, there are concerns about the hot weather in Morocco during July and August. Average temperatures during these months range from 29°C to 36°C, with cooler evenings averaging 18-22°C. However, Ahmed Yahya, the second vice-president of CAF, believes that hosting the tournament in the summer will provide an opportunity for more players to participate, despite the challenges posed by the hot weather.

During an interview on Canal + Sport Africa, Yahya emphasized the importance of playing the AFCON in the summer to ensure player availability. He also pointed to the successful hosting of the Women’s African Cup of Nations in July 2023 as evidence that tournaments can be held in Morocco during the summer months.

Yahya suggested that scheduling matches in the evening could help mitigate the impact of high temperatures and ensure the safety and well-being of the players. He also referenced past European tournaments held in the summer as a precedent for hosting the AFCON in similar conditions.

Morocco was initially selected to host the AFCON in 2015 but withdrew due to concerns about the Ebola virus outbreak at the time. Now, with the approval to host the 2025 AFCON in the summer, Morocco can look forward to welcoming teams and fans from across Africa for an exciting showcase of football talent in a new season.

Read the original article on The Standard