The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will go ahead as scheduled in Morocco, despite growing protests in some host cities over economic and logistical concerns.
In a statement released late Monday, CAF emphasized that preparations remain on track and that Morocco has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering a world-class tournament.
The continental body noted that while it is aware of the demonstrations, “the situation does not pose any threat to the successful organization of the competition.”
Ongoing protests by groups, mostly young Moroccans, over the government’s spending policies have sparked worries about the tournament’s stability.
The demonstrators charge that the government is putting billions of dollars into infrastructure projects—such as updating stadiums for the 2025 AFCON and co-hosting the 2030 FIFA World Cup—at the expense of vital public services like healthcare and education. Some of the chants that protesters have been heard yelling include “We want hospitals, not stadiums.”
CAF President Motsepe reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to Morocco serving as the host during his remarks at the CAF Congress in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Monday.
“We (CAF) 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 co-operate and work with the government and all the citizens of Morocco to host the most successful AFCON in history.”
