Côte d’Ivoire has withdrawn as the host of the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, which was scheduled to take place from April 26 to May 18, 2025.
The unexpected announcement was made by the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) through the Executive Secretary on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, according to reports in the country.
The Ivorian government, in a letter to the FIF seen by AfricaSoccer.com, cited the inability to host the 24th edition of the tournament as the reason for the withdrawal.
This decision leaves the Confederation of African Football (CAF) scrambling to find a new host just weeks before the tournament is set to begin.
President Yacine Idriss Diallo, who also serves as the FIF president and chairman of the COCAN U-20 organizing committee, expressed regret over the situation. He extended his gratitude to those who had dedicated their time and efforts to the tournament’s preparations and assured stakeholders that they would be updated on CAF’s next steps.
While the exact reasons for Ivory Coast’s withdrawal remain unclear, speculation points to logistical and financial challenges.
With the situation still unfolding, CAF now faces the urgent task of securing a new host to ensure the tournament proceeds as planned. This sudden development highlights the complexities and challenges involved in hosting major sports events and the gap between ambition and practical execution.
