The next African Cup of Nations could hold some surprises for the players' organizations.
With maximums at 40 degrees in July, Morocco is preparing to organize the 35th edition in June and July 2025. In the middle of a press release announcing the retention of coach Walid Regragui at the head of the Atlas Lions, the federation indicates that the next CAN “will be contested in the Kingdom during the summer of 2025”.
However, this is not the first time that the CAN is held in summer since Egypt experienced it in 2019. An edition marked by the coronation of Algeria and the epic of Madagascar.
But the extreme weather conditions, between 35 and 40 degrees, had caused problems on the pitch: Nigerian striker Samuel Kalu had suffered a heart attack after dehydration before the start of the tournament.
Cooling breaks have been added to combat mercury since, such as during the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.
Read alsoFootball: Walid Regragui retains his position as Morocco coach despite the CAN 2024 fiasco
This decision could suit European clubs, who are forced to release their players in the middle of the season and fear their injuries.
This is what happened, at the start of the competition, to Liverpool star, Egyptian Mohamed Salah.
But the Club World Cup, in a new 32-team format, must also be held in the summer of 2025. A new headache awaits for the clubs.
While the CAN 2024 has not yet delivered its verdict, the latter should have been played in the summer of 2023. But the African Football Confederation (CAF) had postponed the tournament due to heavy rains and flooding in Côte d'Ivoire. 'Ivory at this period.