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Morocco to host Africa Cup of Nations 2025 after Algeria withdraws bid

September 27, 2023 at 3:16 pm

Confederation of African Football (CAF), announces the host countries for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations during a ceremony held in Cairo on September 27, 2023 [KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images]

Algeria has pulled out of the race to host the 2025 and 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) football tournament. The decision by the Algerian Football Federation (FAF) yesterday to inform the Confederation of African Football (CAF) was made one day ahead of the delayed decision to name the country who will replace Guinea as the 2025 hosts, which was awarded to Morocco.

Guinea was stripped of hosting rights last year over concerns that the country is not ready to hold the tournament. Algeria previously hosted Afcon 1990, when it won its first continental title.

In a statement, Algeria’s FAF said the decision to withdraw was “motivated by a new approach to the football development strategy in Algeria”.

“The FAF will now focus its efforts on the reorganisation and revitalisation of football in Algeria, as it reiterates its unwavering commitment to the development of African football.”

“On this occasion, the FAF extends its sincere thanks to the great family of African football for the understanding of its decision which in no way signifies a disengagement of Algeria from the king of sport on the continent,” it added.

Algeria withdrawing its candidacy meant that football and geopolitical rival, neighbouring Morocco, was the strong favourite to be named as Guinea’s replacement, while Kenya-Uganda-Tanzania were named as the hosts for the 2027 edition, reports BBC Sport.

Amid severed diplomatic relations between Morocco and Algeria, the former withdrew from the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in Algeria earlier this year after the host nation refused to open its airspace to Morocco’s national team.

During the naming ceremony held today in Cairo, Patrice Motsepe, CAF president, said: “The decision that was taken today was to focus on African unity, development and growth, in the context of those countries withdrawing.”

“A huge amount of money is being spent on Morocco for 2025. The bid from Morocco to host the World Cup is not just for Morocco, but for the whole of Africa,” he said.

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