Africa Cup of Nations moved to 2024 due to weather concerns

The continental tournament won’t take place next year.

The Confederation of African Football have confirmed the next edition of the African Cup of Nations will take place in January and February 2024.

Ivory Coast were planning to host the tournament in June-July 2023. However, the CAF have now confirmed their decision to reschedule the AFCON.

“We cannot take the risk,” CAF president Patrice Motsepe said.

“January is not the ideal time because of the European clubs, but it is the only choice we have.”

With the 2022 World Cup taking place in November, the officials have decided to delay the tournament rather than bringing it forward.

In 2017, CAF decided to hold the tournament at the end of the European football calendar. However, Cameroon went on to host this year’s tournament in January due to weather conditions.

The new decision means African players will, once again, have to leave their clubs mid-season to participate in AFCON. Several European clubs have complained about the scheduling of the tournament, most notably Jurgen Klopp, who saw some of his best Liverpool players leave for AFCON last January.

CAF has also confirmed plans to create an African Super League. The competition will take place along the current African Champions League, with its first season starting in August 2023.