Egypt has officially been awarded the hosting rights for the 2025 CAF U-20 Africa Cup of Nations after Ivory Coast pulled out due to unforeseen circumstances. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) made the announcement on Thursday, March 27, confirming that the Egyptian Football Association and the Egyptian government had earlier submitted a formal request to take over the tournament’s organization.
Ivory Coast, which was initially set to host Africa’s most prestigious youth football championship, informed CAF that it would no longer be able to fulfill its obligations. The decision forced CAF to seek an alternative host, and Egypt, a football powerhouse with a rich history of hosting international tournaments, stepped in to ensure the event goes ahead as planned.
Egypt has already begun preparations for the highly anticipated tournament, which will kick off on Sunday, April 27, 2025. The final match is scheduled to take place on May 18, 2025, in what is expected to be an electrifying showdown. The event is set to showcase the best young football talents from across the continent, providing a platform for emerging stars to make their mark on African football.
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Ivory Coast, the reigning U-20 AFCON champions, won the previous edition in 2023 with a dramatic 2-1 victory in the final. That triumph marked their third AFCON U-20 title, solidifying their reputation as one of Africa’s youth football powerhouses.
With Egypt now stepping in as hosts, excitement is already building among football fans and stakeholders. The North African nation has a strong track record of organizing major international sporting events, and expectations are high for a world-class tournament. As the countdown begins, all eyes will be on Egypt to deliver an unforgettable AFCON U-20 2025.
