Côte d’Ivoire has officially pulled out as the host nation for the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, just weeks before the tournament’s kickoff on April 26.
The decision was announced by the Ivorian Football Federation (FIF) on Tuesday, March 25, citing government concerns over the feasibility of organizing the competition.
The withdrawal has left the Confederation of African Football (CAF) scrambling to find a new host for the 24th edition of the tournament at short notice. FIF President Yacine Idriss Diallo, who also chairs the U-20 AFCON organizing committee, expressed deep regret over the situation.
With time running out, CAF now faces the urgent task of securing an alternative venue to ensure the competition proceeds as planned.
