Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrice Motsepe has dismissed concerns over Morocco’s readiness to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), saying he is “absolutely confident” the tournament will go ahead as planned despite ongoing anti-government protests.
For nine straight nights, young Moroccans have taken to the streets demanding an end to corruption, better governance, and reforms to health and education services. Yet Motsepe insists the unrest will not derail the continent’s biggest football event, set for 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, across nine Moroccan cities.
“Morocco is plan A, Morocco is plan B, and Morocco is plan C,” Motsepe told delegates at the CAF general assembly in Kinshasa, alongside FIFA president Gianni Infantino. “CAF will work with the Moroccan government and its people to deliver the most successful AFCON in history.”
Football stars including Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi are expected to headline the 24-team tournament. Morocco last hosted AFCON in 1988 but famously pulled out of the 2015 edition over Ebola concerns.
Motsepe also confirmed that discussions are underway to revive the African Football League (AFL), which was shelved in 2023 after a controversial debut season. “The AFL is very important and it will continue,” he assured.
Since taking over a debt-ridden CAF in 2021, Motsepe has steered the body into profitability. CAF recorded a $9.48 million profit for 2023–24 and projects a $28.45 million surplus next year.
“Revenues have quadrupled in five years, and we maintain zero tolerance for bribery and corruption,” Motsepe said. “All the money goes into football development. We want to reward players better and support national teams.”
He added that clubs failing to reach the CAF Champions League or Confederation Cup group stages now receive $100,000 to offset travel and logistics costs — a move aimed at boosting competitiveness across African football.
