The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has rescheduled the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 which was to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

The decision to reschedule the tournament dates, according to CAF President Patrice Motsepe in a statement on Friday after virtual executive committee in Cairo, was to avoid a clash with the inaugural Club World Cup in the United States which will hold from June 15 to July 13 next year.

The AFCON was initially scheduled for June and July 2025, but following an announcement by FIFA of the Club World Cup in the summer of 2025, CAF had to reschedule its own competition to avoid a clash.

“I am confident that the CAF AFCON Morocco 2025 will be extremely successful and the best AFCON in the history of this competition,” Motsepe said, regardless of the postponement.

The 35th edition of the AFCON which will be held in Morocco, is set to make history with its unique scheduling as unlike previous tournaments, the edition will span across two years, commencing on December 21, 2025, and concluding on January 18, 2026.

This timing is also a deviation from the traditional AFCON schedule which typically begins in early January and ends in early February.

However, the new dates will upset many English Premier League clubs as the Christmas-New Year period is always frenetic with teams playing many matches in a short period and will need their African players who will be at the AFCON tournament during the hectic period.

Media reports in England have suggested many clubs might not release African stars as they are compelled to do so for only one international championship per year and the next World Cup is in 2026, but CAF could argue that it is the 2025 AFCON, although most of the tournament will be staged the following year.

The race to snap up Super Eagles and Leicester City midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi, is hotting up as three French clubs have joined Everton for his signature.

According to Footmercato, French giants Olympique Marseille, AS Monaco and Olympique Lyonnais have indicated interest in the Eagles star who could become a free agent by the end of this month.

In its report, Footmercato said Marseille are seeking to bolster their squad this summer with the midfield being one of their priorities.

“The nine-time French champions risk the possibility of losing Jordan Veretout, Pape Gueye and Geoffrey Kondogbia while Jean Onana is also set to return to his parent club Besiktas after the expiration of his loan spell.

“Thus, the need for the Olympians to bolster their midfield with Ndidi being one of their targets but they aren’t the only French side eyeing the Nigeria international.

“AS Monaco who came second in the Ligue 1 last season are also eyeing a move for the Nigeria international who has become a hot property due to his contractual situation with Leicester City.”

However, the Foxes, as Leicester are called, are trying hard to retain the services of Ndidi beyond this summer and are running out of time with his current contract set to end in ten days’ time.