Côte d'Ivoire has officially withdrawn from hosting the 2025 Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), prompting the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to reassess the situation and seek an alternative host.
The Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) announced on March 25, 2025, that the government had formally notified them of the decision, which affects the tournament originally scheduled to take place from April 26 to May 18, 2025. While no specific reasons for the withdrawal were provided, it is widely believed that financial and logistical challenges—potentially compounded by the country's recent hosting of the senior AFCON—contributed to the decision.
In response, CAF is now considering other nations to step in as the host for the prestigious tournament. Egypt and Morocco have emerged as strong contenders, with Morocco having previously hosted various CAF competitions, including the U-17 AFCON, and being scheduled to host the Women's AFCON later this year.
The Under-20 AFCON is a vital competition for Africa's rising football stars, with the top four teams earning spots at the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile. As of March 27, 2025, CAF has yet to officially announce the new host nation, but the organization is expected to make an announcement soon to ensure the tournament proceeds as planned.
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