On the eve of the executive committee of the Confederation of African Football which must award the organization of CAN 2025 and 2027, Algeria has decided to withdraw from the race. A surprising decision that leaves the royal road to Morocco.
The rumors have been buzzing for a few days, it is now official this Tuesday, September 26. Algeria has decided to no longer apply for the organization of CAN 2025 or 2027. “ The Algerian Football Federation (FAF) has officially sent to the African Football Confederation (CAF) a letter by which it informs it of its decision to withdraw Algeria’s candidacy for the organization of the Total Energies Africa Cup of Nations (CAN), the 2025 and 2027 editions,” announced the FAF.
It’s a big surprise a few hours before the decision of the CAF which must announce this Wednesday, September 27 the elected officials for the organization of CAN 2025 and 2027.
The FAF changed its mind
For several months, the country of Fennecs had nevertheless embarked on a seduction operation to give itself every chance of hosting CAN 2025 or of 2027. “There are facilities which are there, there is a competition ( Chan) which was organized in good conditions, so already 70% of the way has been done,” boasted Farid Ait Saada, coordinator of the Chan local organizing committee, last January at RFI.
What has changed since then? First the head of the Algerian Football Federation. Walid Sadi was in fact elected less than a week ago as president of the FAF after the resignation of Djahid Zefizef who threw in the towel after his failure to be elected to the CAF Executive Committee.
The new management team explains that its withdrawal is motivated by “ the new approach of the FAF relating to the development strategy of football in Algeria ”. The FAF will now focus its efforts on the reorganization and revitalization of football in Algeria, just as it reiterates its unwavering commitment to the development of African football,” continues the Algerian federation.
Morocco without rival for 2025
Diplomatic explanation? What is certain is that the new president of the FAF would have made the decision not to be present at the Executive Committee this Wednesday, refusing to defend a candidacy file that does not “belong” to him.
With this withdrawal, Algeria leaves the royal voice to Morocco which was its main rival in the race to organize the CAN 2025. Despite the candidacies of Zambia and the Nigeria-Benin duo, the Cherifian kingdom should obtain without suspense the right to host the African Cup more than 30 years after having organized the 1988 edition.
Algeria, which has not organized a CAN since 1990, will therefore have to wait at least until the 2029 edition to hope to once again host the biggest African competition.
