CAN U20 2025: Côte d’Ivoire withdraws, Egypt ready to take over?
Côte d’Ivoire withdraws unexpectedly
The world of African soccer has been rocked by a last-minute change of heart: Côte d’Ivoire has decided not to host the U20 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Scheduled to run from April 26 to May 18, the tournament finds itself without a host, forcing the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to find an emergency solution.
Reasons for Ivorian withdrawal
According to several sources, this decision is linked to financial and organizational constraints. Organizing a competition of this scale requires substantial investment and compliance with the strict standards imposed by CAF and FIFA. The Ivorian authorities were unable to guarantee these conditions, leading them to withdraw from the project.
Egypt in pole position to host the competition
With this withdrawal, Egypt emerged as the leading candidate to take over the organization. Initially envisaged as a mere logistical support, the North African nation could now host the entire tournament.
Egypt’s organizational strengths:
✅ Modern infrastructure: high-quality stadiums and training centers
✅ Efficient logistics: well-developed transport network facilitating travel
✅ Recognized experience: host of CAN 2019 and CAN U20 2023
If CAF makes the decision official soon, the tournament could be held on the scheduled dates, thus limiting disruption.
Major challenge: qualification for the U20 World Cup
The CAN U20 is also a qualifying competition for the FIFA U20 World Cup, to be held in Chile from September 27 to October 19, 2025. Only the top four African teams will qualify.
A delay in organization could jeopardize the tournament, or even lead to its cancellation, a major blow for young talent in search of recognition. If no country comes forward quickly, CAF will have to find an alternative to designate the qualified African teams.
A sporting challenge for Egypt
If Egypt agrees to host the competition, its U20 team will face some formidable opposition in its group:
🏆 Morocco
⚽ South Africa
🔥 Nigeria
These nations have solid reputations in the training of young talent, making the Pharaohs ‘ qualification for the U20 World Cup particularly competitive.
Conclusion: An urgent decision expected from CAF
With the opening match scheduled for April 27, 2025, CAF must decide quickly on the new organization. Egypt seems to be the most credible option, but time is running out to ensure the smooth running of the tournament and preserve the chances of young African players on the international stage.
