Côte d’Ivoire Withdraws as Host of 2025 U-20 AFCON, CAF in Urgent Search for Replacement

The 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations (AFCON) has been thrown into uncertainty after Côte d’Ivoire officially pulled out as the tournament's host.

In a press release, the President of the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF), Yacine Idriss Diallo, confirmed that the country's government had notified the federation of its withdrawal from hosting duties. However, no official reason has been given for this decision.

CAF Faces Tight Deadline

With the tournament originally planned for South Africa before being moved to Côte d’Ivoire, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) now has less than a month to find a new host. This sudden change could lead to delays in the competition, affecting teams’ preparations and scheduling.

The Flying Eagles of Nigeria have already secured qualification for the tournament, but with the uncertainty surrounding the host nation, participating teams will now have to wait for CAF’s next move.

Opinion: A Growing Trend of Hosting Challenges?

Côte d’Ivoire’s withdrawal raises concerns about the increasing difficulties African nations face in hosting major tournaments. From financial constraints to infrastructural readiness, many countries are struggling to meet CAF’s standards.

This situation also puts CAF under pressure, as it must now quickly find a new host willing and prepared to organize the tournament on short notice. Will another country step up, or will the tournament face an unprecedented postponement?

What are your thoughts on this last-minute withdrawal? Should CAF rethink how it selects and supports host nations? Let’s discuss!