The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that the draw for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers will take place on July 4. This draw will be structured based on the latest FIFA rankings published in June, which will determine the composition of the various pots.
Ivory Coast Heads Pot 1
Ivory Coast, ranked 4th in Africa, will be placed in Pot 1 for the draw. This ranking reflects their consistent performance on the continental stage, making them one of the top-seeded teams.
The Elephants’ inclusion in Pot 1 ensures they will avoid facing other top-ranked teams in the early stages of the qualifiers, providing a strategic advantage.
Togo Positioned in Pot 3
Togo, on the other hand, has seen a decline in their ranking, dropping seven places to 32nd in Africa. Consequently, they will be placed in Pot 3.
This positioning could present a challenging path for the Togolese national team, as they may face stronger opponents from Pots 1 and 2 in the qualifiers.
Benin in Pot 2
Benin has climbed six places to 19th in the African rankings and is expected to be in Pot 2.
This improved ranking is a testament to their recent performances, and being in Pot 2 places them in a more favorable position for the upcoming qualifiers.
Liberia’s Remarkable Rise
Despite a significant rise of 10 places in the rankings, Liberia, now 42nd in Africa, will likely be placed in Pot 4.
Their improved position highlights the progress they have made, but being in the lowest pot means they will face tough competition throughout the qualification process.
Potential Pots for the AFCON 2025 Qualifiers Draw
Pot 1:
– Morocco
– Senegal
– Egypt
– Ivory Coast
– Nigeria
– Tunisia
– Algeria
– Cameroon
– Mali
– South Africa
– DR Congo
– Ghana
Pot 2:
– Cape Verde
– Burkina Faso
– Guinea
– Gabon
– Equatorial Guinea
– Zambia
– Benin
– Angola
– Uganda
– Namibia
– Mozambique
– Madagascar
Pot 3:
– Kenya
– Mauritania
– Congo Brazzaville
– Tanzania
– Guinea-Bissau
– Libya
– Comoros
– Togo
– Sudan
– Sierra Leone
– Malawi
– Central African Republic
Pot 4:
– Niger
– Zimbabwe
– Rwanda
– Gambia
– Burundi
– Liberia
– Ethiopia
– Botswana
– Lesotho
– Eswatini
– South Sudan
– Chad
The upcoming draw will set the stage for the qualification campaign, as teams across the continent vie for a spot in the prestigious tournament.
The strategic placement within these pots will play a crucial role in shaping each team’s journey toward AFCON 2025.
As the anticipation builds, fans and teams alike will be watching closely on July 4 to see who their national teams will face in the quest to qualify for the next Africa Cup of Nations.
The formalization of these pots by CAF will soon confirm the pathways each team must navigate to reach the tournament.
