After withdrawing the organization of CAN 2025 from Guinea, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) must soon designate a new host country.
Even if South Africa, Zambia and the Benin-Nigeria duo have applied, everything suggests that the awarding of the tournament should be reduced to an Algeria-Morocco duel, the two countries, neighbors and rivals, having just made a strong impression by organizing CHAN 2022 and the FIFA Club World Cup respectively.
Recently, the president of CAF, Patrice Motsepe, said that the body has not set any deadline for the announcement of the lucky winner. In recent days, however, persistent rumors point to a possible decision on March 16 at the 73rd FIFA Congress, to be held in Kigali, Rwanda in the presence of all the best of CAF.
Mohammed VI decorated by CAF
On the sidelines of this event, the pan-African body has just announced to its member associations, in a leaked letter, that it will organize a special ceremony on March 14 in Kigali. That day, Motsepe will decorate the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, and the King of Morocco, Mohammed VI. Both leaders will be presented with an award for their “outstanding achievements”.
While the latest rumors go in the direction of Morocco, this information is interpreted by many observers as an additional clue in favor of the Atlas Lions. A priori, it would indeed seem strange to see Motsepe decorate Mohammed VI on March 14 and entrust the CAN to Algeria two days later… This leak confirms, in any case, the fears of the Fennecs, aware that Morocco is better established in backstage at CAF and therefore more likely to influence the election. Everyone will have their own opinion but one thing is certain: the verdict is coming!