Morocco was officially awarded the host of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals on Wednesday, succeeding Guinea, who was stripped of hosting rights last year.
A combined proposal by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda was also given the rights to the 2027 event.
Algeria, Zambia, and a combined candidature from Benin and Nigeria withdrew from competition before the decision of the Confederation of African Football’s executive committee in Cairo, and Morocco was chosen as the host for the 2025 AFCON. Morocco was largely anticipated to win the hosting rights, which may improve its hopes of hosting the 2030 World Cup with Portugal and Spain.
The East African joint candidature for the 2027 AFCON was a surprising triumph, bringing the finals back to the area for the first time since 1976. The proposal outperformed rivals Botswana, Egypt, and Senegal. Algeria was also a candidate but withdrew a day before the election.
Notably, Kenya had previously been offered hosting rights for the 1996 AFCON but had failed to capitalise on the occasion owing to insufficient preparations. A FIFA suspension imposed due to government meddling in the operation of the country’s football association was recently removed.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe emphasised the need of spreading the event across different areas to help football flourish. Morocco will host the popular sports event for the second time in 2025, with the last time being over four decades ago in 1988.
