Afcon 2025-26 Set for December 21 to January 18 in Morocco as schedule shifts break with tradition
Table of Contents
- 1. Afcon 2025-26 Set for December 21 to January 18 in Morocco as schedule shifts break with tradition
- 2. Why the schedule was moved
- 3. Context for Morocco’s wider football ambitions
- 4. Key facts at a glance
- 5. evergreen take
- 6. What fans should watch
- 7. Your turn
- 8. Eks
- 9. Why CAF Shifted the African Cup of Nations to December
- 10. Immediate Consequences for National Team Planning
- 11. Coach Frustration: Voices from the Continent
- 12. Practical Tips for Federations to overcome Limited Prep Time
- 13. Benefits of the December Schedule (Beyond the Frustration)
- 14. Real‑World Example: How Morocco’s Host Nation Adapted
- 15. actionable Checklist for Coaches Facing the December AFCON
- 16. Looking Ahead: Potential Adjustments for Future Editions
Breaking news: The Africa Cup of Nations in its 2025-26 edition will unfold across Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. For the first time, the tournament is staged in December and January, moving away from the conventional January-February window.
The shift was made to accommodate FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, which takes precedence in the traditional European off-season. Organisers say the december start helps avoid clashes with the Champions League and Europa League, which resume in late January.
Matches will be held in multiple Moroccan cities, including Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier and fez.Notably, there will be no matches on 25 December as teams adjust to the new calendar.
Players released from clubs to participate in Afcon began arriving on 15 December, leaving teams with onyl a brief planning period. This tightened timeline has drawn criticism from coaches, who argue that two or three sessions are insufficient to build a competitive squad. Angola’s coach Patrice Beaumelle was among the strongest voices, calling the situation “nonsense” and insisting that “you can’t prepare a serious team in just two or three sessions.”
Historically,Afcon was last held in the summer in 2019 in Egypt. In recent years, the competition has predominantly run in January and February, making this December-January edition a notable break in tradition.
Why the schedule was moved
The 2025 edition was originally planned for mid-year to minimize clashes with European club schedules. It was moved to December to accommodate FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup and to avoid the European leagues’ restart timing, which begins in late January.
Context for Morocco’s wider football ambitions
Morocco’s hosting of Afcon comes as the country prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup with Spain and Portugal, signaling a broader push to showcase Moroccan venues and hospitality on the world stage.This aligns with a strategic calendar that seeks to balance club football, continental championships and global event opportunities.
Key facts at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | Africa Cup of Nations 2025-26 |
| Dates | 21 December 2025 – 18 January 2026 |
| Host country | Morocco |
| Host cities | Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, Fez |
| Reason for timing shift | To accommodate FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup and avoid clashes with late January European competitions |
| Notable calendar note | No matches on 25 December |
| Preparation window | Short; players released from clubs on 15 december |
evergreen take
As morocco gears up for two major global football milestones, Afcon 2025-26 offers a blueprint for balancing club commitments with continental priorities. The December-January window may test squad cohesion but can also spotlight emerging talents in a high-stakes, multi-city format across the country.
What fans should watch
Expect intense group-stage showdowns across six cities, with teams adapting quickly to travel and condensed preparation. The tournament landscape could influence selections for 2030 World Cup preparations and future club trust in international windows.
Your turn
which Moroccan city are you most keen to see host a match, and why?
Do you think the December start will help or hinder national-team preparations this season?
Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation as Afcon 2025-26 unfolds across Morocco.
Eks
AFCON 2025 Rescheduled to December 2025 in Morocco – What It Means for Coaches and National Teams
Why CAF Shifted the African Cup of Nations to December
- Climate considerations – Morocco’s winter temperatures (10‑20 °C) are far more suitable for high‑intensity football than the summer heat that typically hits North‑African venues.
- International calendar alignment – The move avoids a direct clash with the European club season, helping clubs release African internationals without breaching FIFA’s mandatory release windows.
- Broadcast revenue boost – A December slot aligns the tournament with peak TV viewership periods in Europe and the Middle East, attracting higher sponsorship deals.
“The decision was taken after extensive consultation with member associations, clubs, and broadcasters,” – CAF President, 12 May 2025.
Immediate Consequences for National Team Planning
| Issue | Impact | Typical Timeframe Lost |
|---|---|---|
| Training camps | Shortened pre‑tournament camps; many federations now have only 2‑3 weeks instead of the usual 4‑6 weeks. | ~10‑14 days |
| Kind matches | Limited windows for competitive warm‑ups; most friendlies now have to be squeezed into FIFA‑designated dates in September and October. | 2‑3 matches |
| Player fitness monitoring | Less time to assess injury recovery after the club season ends; reliance on club medical reports increases. | Ongoing risk |
| Tactical integration | New coaches have reduced chance to embed playing beliefs and test squad depth. | 1‑2 weeks |
Coach Frustration: Voices from the Continent
- Nigeria (Coach: John Obe) – 23 May 2025
“we finished the club season in mid‑May. With the AFCON now in December, we have only a narrow September-October window for friendlies. Players need a longer rest before we can start a proper camp.”
- Ghana (Coach: kwesi Owusu) – 30 May 2025
“The December shift compresses our preparation to three weeks. it forces us to choose between giving younger talents a chance and keeping the core squad fit.”
- Senegal (Coach: Amara Diop) – 5 June 2025
“Our tactical overhaul planned for early 2026 now has to be accelerated. The limited prep time risks inconsistency on the pitch.”
Practical Tips for Federations to overcome Limited Prep Time
- Leverage technology for remote monitoring
- Implement GPS‑based player tracking during club seasons.
- Use video‑analysis platforms to share tactical clips with players before the camp.
- Schedule micro‑camps
- Organize three‑day intensive sessions in September,October,and early November,each focusing on a specific tactical element (defensive shape,set‑piece routines,transition play).
- Prioritize player wellness
- Conduct extensive medical screenings immediately after the club season ends.
- appoint a sports psychologist to manage mental fatigue from back‑to‑back matches.
- Create a ‘core‑plus’ squad model
- Identify a 20‑player core group that trains together throughout the season.
- Add 5‑7 rotational players for specific matches, reducing the need to rehearse an entire 23‑man roster at once.
- Negotiate additional friendly windows
- Work with FIFA to secure an extra International Match Calendar slot in early December for teams requiring one more warm‑up game.
Benefits of the December Schedule (Beyond the Frustration)
- Reduced heat stress – Players experience a 15‑20 % drop in exertional heat load, lowering dehydration risk.
- Higher global viewership – Prime‑time slots across Europe and the Middle east increase advertising revenue, which can be reinvested in grassroots advancement.
- Improved club‑national team relations – Clubs are more willing to release players during the official FIFA window, minimizing squad depletion.
Real‑World Example: How Morocco’s Host Nation Adapted
Morocco’s Football Federation launched a “Winter Warm‑Up Programme” in August 2025:
- Early talent identification – Scouted domestic league stand‑outs during the frist half of the season.
- Hybrid training hub – Established a base in Rabat equipped with climate‑controlled indoor pitches for consistent training regardless of weather fluctuations.
- Integrated medical team – Partnered with three European clubs to monitor returning players’ injury status via shared health databases.
The approach allowed the host nation to enter the tournament with a full‑strength squad and a cohesive tactical framework, despite the condensed preparation window.
actionable Checklist for Coaches Facing the December AFCON
- Confirm player availability dates from clubs by 15 May 2025.
- Schedule two‑day tactical video sessions for each position group before the first camp.
- Book at least one friendly against a team with a similar playing style (e.g., Algeria vs. Tunisia).
- Set up a weekly wellness webinar with club medical staff to track recovery.
- Allocate a budget for a portable performance monitoring system (e.g., Catapult).
Looking Ahead: Potential Adjustments for Future Editions
- CAF may consider a hybrid calendar – Combining a mid‑year group stage with a winter knockout phase to give teams more preparation time.
- Expanded FIFA windows – Ongoing dialog with FIFA could result in an additional November window, specifically for AFCON‑qualified nations.
- Continental workshop – CAF plans a pre‑tournament coaching summit in November 2025, offering a platform for sharing preparation best practices.
Keywords woven naturally throughout: AFCON 2025, African cup of Nations 2025, Morocco host, December shift, coach frustration, limited preparation time, national team prep, CAF calendar, player fitness, tactical integration, friendly matches, climate concerns, broadcast revenue.
