The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, widely praised for its organisation and infrastructure, may now cast uncertainty over the hosting of the 2029 tournament following a fraught end to the competition and its political and sporting fallout.
From an organisational standpoint, Morocco delivered one of the most ambitious Africa Cup of Nations tournaments to date.
The host nation made nine stadiums available and upgraded infrastructure across the country, setting new standards for logistics and facilities for the 23 visiting teams.
On those terms, the tournament was broadly regarded as a success.
However, Morocco’s determination to lift the trophy on home soil ended in disappointment, and the aftermath of the final has left lingering tensions.
The reaction within the country has gone beyond sporting frustration, feeding into a wider sense of disillusionment with the continent’s football authorities and partners.
“The mentality will change. We won’t be the nice guys to Africans anymore because they showed their true colors at the 2025 AFCON,” is a phrase that has been repeatedly echoed in response to the final.
That sentiment reflects what some observers describe as a deeper rupture, interpreted by neighbouring countries as a form of disengagement from Africa.
From Morocco’s perspective, the feeling is that its role as a supportive force for African football has not been reciprocated.
This mood arrives at a sensitive moment for the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The 2029 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for the summer of 2028, still has no confirmed host.
Given the expanded format of the competition, few countries currently possess the infrastructure required to stage the tournament.
Morocco had been viewed as a potential fallback option should CAF struggle to secure a suitable candidate.
The final defeat to Senegal in 2025 has altered that landscape.
What had been envisaged as a smooth continuation — potentially building on a home triumph — instead became a turning point that has raised doubts about Morocco’s willingness to host again so soon.
The internal divisions and broader repercussions of that final may now deter Morocco from stepping forward.
Concerns around perceptions, refereeing controversies and heightened scrutiny could further limit room for manoeuvre.
As a result, Morocco is increasingly seen as an unlikely host for the 2029 edition.
With Algeria not currently bidding, CAF may be forced to explore alternatives, with South Africa emerging as a possible option.
For now, the legacy of Morocco’s 2025 AFCON success — and disappointment — continues to shape the future of African football’s flagship tournament.
