FIFA Accused of “Institutional Contempt” as 2025 AFCON Faces Winter Disruption
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is facing a crisis of scheduling and portrayal, sparking outrage among football officials and journalists who accuse FIFA of prioritizing commercial interests over the integrity of African football. Originally slated for a traditional June-July window, the tournament has been controversially postponed to December 21, 2025, a decision widely attributed to FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup.
The shift, as detailed in reports, stems from FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s push for a 32-team Club World Cup – a $1 billion venture – scheduled for June 14 to July 13, 2025, in the United States. This clash in scheduling has forced the Confederation of African Football (CAF) into a position of submission, rescheduling its premier competition during the European winter, overlapping with domestic leagues and the Boxing Day fixture list.
“FIFA imposed its schedule,and we have to deal with it,” stated a Moroccan journalist with jeune Afrique,encapsulating the perceived power imbalance. The decision,reached on November 29,2025,was made without the consultation of CAF,African federations,or team coaches,further fueling accusations of disrespect. According to sources,an agreement was secretly reached with the European Club Association (ECA) allowing clubs to retain players until December 15th – seven days later than initially agreed – disrupting African teams’ readiness plans and incurring meaningful financial losses.
FIFA’s justification, referencing the precedent set by the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, rings hollow to many. The Qatar World cup benefited from a dedicated international window, extensive preparation time, and a modified European calendar. This perceived double standard has ignited a firestorm of criticism. “When we say that africa and the CAF are colonized, we are told that we are exaggerating. Look at this humiliation…” remarked a Nigerian journalist, highlighting the deep-seated frustration.
The scheduling change presents a significant challenge for African national teams. Coaches, like Patrice Beaumelle of Angola, face the impossible task of integrating fatigued players into tactical systems with minimal preparation time. Beaumelle’s team, for example, had to completely overhaul plans for a December 8th training camp in Portugal, including the cancellation of scheduled friendly matches. The disparity in preparation time is stark, with teams relying on predominantly “local” players gaining a two-week advantage.
The situation is further complicated by the actions of individuals within the african football community. Medhi Benatia, former Moroccan captain and current sporting director of Olympique de Marseille, publicly stated his club’s interests would take precedence, refusing to release players Nayef Aguerd and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang until after a match on December 14th. This decision, as one observer noted, exemplifies a troubling pattern of prioritizing European clubs over African national teams, even among those with strong ties to the continent.
Adding insult to injury, CAF’s silence on the matter has been deafening. Despite holding 54 votes within FIFA – the largest voting bloc – the organization has failed to publicly challenge FIFA’s decision. “When it comes to FIFA elections, Africa matters. When it comes to respecting the AFCON, we are forgotten,” lamented an observer of continental football.
The issues extend beyond scheduling. A contentious broadcasting rights deal has emerged, with French and Arabic channels limited to 33 of the 52 matches, while English-speaking channels and a non-African private channel secure broadcasting rights for all games. This arrangement raises concerns about accessibility for African audiences, creating a paradoxical situation where a tournament hosted and funded by African nations might potentially be inaccessible to a significant portion of the continent’s population.
african football deserves a dedicated international window for the AFCON, mirroring the treatment afforded to the Euro and Copa América.Financial compensation for federations impacted by the last-minute changes is also crucial. Furthermore, mandatory consultation with CAF on decisions affecting African football and an equitable distribution of TV rights, ensuring free access for African populations, are non-negotiable demands. The current situation represents a profound lack of respect and a clear exhibition of institutional bias, demanding immediate and decisive action to safeguard the future of African football.
