AFCON 2023 will be in June/July, CAF confirms

CAF has confirmed that the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations set for Ivory Coast will take place during the June/July effectively putting to rest speculations that it will might be brought forward to January. 

CAF Secretary-General Abdel Bah told reporters that the competition will remain in June/July unless changed.

“As per now, AFCON 2023 is scheduled for June / July in accordance with the competition regulations,” he said.

However, there are questions as to whether Ivory Coast will be able to host the tournament during those dates as they will be experiencing heavy rainfalls. 

Cameroon had to bring forward the 2021 AFCON because of the same reason. They have also pulled out ofhosting CAF Champions League finals because of the heavy rainfall expected in the region in September. 

“We have not yet received any request from the Ivorian authorities on the subject, ” said the Moroccan.

Another hurdle for moving the 2023 AFCON to January will be the proximity of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar which will run between November and December.