The announcement of the host country of CAN 2025 is regularly delayed. CAF does not want to rush, for fear of fueling the conflict between Morocco and Algeria.
The diplomatic conflict between Morocco and Algeria seems to have repercussions even in the corridors of the Confederation of African Football (CAF). In recent days, the continental body has decided to not to sanction either Rabat or Algiers after the problems linked to the African Nations Championship (CHAN) which took place in Algeria. However, the two North African countries have done everything to sabotage each other. It must be said that Algiers and Rabat see beyond the CHAN: each of them indeed hopes organize the African Cup of Nations (CAN) 2025Including the organization was withdrawn to Guinea.
On the one hand, Algiers has shown, with CHAN, that it is capable of organizing a sporting event. Morocco responded with the FIFA Club World Cup. In terms of infrastructure and logistics, the two applicants are neck and neck. With a small advantage for Morocco, that of anteriority: Algeria hosted the CAN in 1990, while the kingdom had organized it two years earlier. Logically, Rabat will therefore have priority, even if Algiers remains in the race.
It now remains to be seen what the opinion of the CAN will be. On March 16, the FIFA Congress will take place. It was expected that the name of the host country of CAN 2025 would be revealed at that time. Except that this file seems to drag on in the commissions of the football body. The executive committee of CAF has not yet chosen and, behind the scenes, the negotiations continue.
Zambia, Nigeria and Benin in ambush
A boon for outsiders? Probably. Because if the cases of Algeria and Morocco are sensitive, the choice of CAF could then change: Zambia and the Nigeria-Benin duo therefore possibly remain in the race. For CAF, the announcement is likely to provoke many comments, the body prefers to play the watch…
Especially since an independent audit firm has produced reports on each candidate. These reports have not yet arrived in the hands of the members of the executive committee. The fault is administrative slowness of which only CAF has the secret: the choice of the firm in charge of the reports has fallen behind and, by domino effect, has put the choice of the host country of CAN 2025 on hold.
Beyond the method of announcement – according to the press, CAF is still hesitating between a videoconference, a meeting or a simple press release – it is the choice of the country that questions. While the Moroccan and Algerian press are going blow for blow, CAF seems to be really hesitating as to the name of the winner and especially afraid to give its preference for one of the two North African countries. So much so that it could make the suspense last until next July. This bodes well for Zambia and for the Nigeria-Benin duo, who hope to take advantage of a diplomatically very tense situation.