South Africa Announced as Host of 2025 U-20 AFCON Tournament

South Africa will once again play host to the prestigious U-20 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January 2025, a biennial international youth football tournament organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

This marks the second time South Africa has been awarded the hosting rights, having previously staged the tournament in 2011. The decision was confirmed by CAF.

The U-20 AFCON, also known for sponsorship purposes as the TotalEnergies U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, serves as a critical platform for showcasing young football talent across the continent.

The tournament not only crowns the champions of African youth football but also acts as the African qualification tournament for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. The upcoming 2025 edition will see teams vying for a spot in the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Chile, with the top four teams automatically qualifying.

Senegal, the defending champions, will be among the 12 teams competing in this 18th edition of the tournament. Players born on or after January 1, 2005, are eligible to participate, ensuring that the competition remains a showcase of emerging talent.

The U-20 AFCON has a rich history dating back to its inception in 1979 when it was initially known as the African Youth Championship. It was later upgraded to a full-scale tournament in 1991 and rebranded in 2011 to align with the flagship Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

South Africa Announced as Host of 2025 U-20 AFCON Tournament