Ivory Coast Withdraws as Host of U20 Africa Cup of Nations, CAF Scrambles for Replacement
In a shocking move, Ivory Coast has announced its withdrawal as the host nation for the U20 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place from April 26 to May 18, 2025.
The decision, made by the Government, has left the Confederation of African Football (CAF) racing against time to find a new host nation and save the tournament.
With just a month to go before the scheduled start date, CAF is facing a daunting task to find a replacement host nation that can meet the tournament’s logistical and infrastructure requirements at short notice.
The U20 Africa Cup of Nations is a crucial competition for the development of young African footballers, and its cancellation would be a significant blow to the continent’s football community.
The reasons behind Ivory Coast’s withdrawal as host nation have not been made clear, but the decision has raised concerns about the country’s ability to host major international football tournaments in the future.
Ivory Coast has a rich football history and has hosted several major tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations.
CAF’s Urgent Search for a New Host
CAF has promised to make a decision on the new host nation as soon as possible.
The organization has several options to consider, but any new host nation will need to demonstrate its ability to host the tournament successfully at short notice. The clock is ticking, and CAF must act swiftly to ensure the U20 Africa Cup of Nations goes ahead as planned.
