Once again, African football finds itself marginalized on the global stage with the African Nations Cup (AFCON) now rescheduled to December 2025. This decision, supposedly justified by logistical concerns such as weather and scheduling conflicts, raises serious questions about the continued neglect of African football by global football governance, particularly by FIFA. Why is it that Africa’s premier tournament is so easily rescheduled, while European and other continental competitions are treated with much more care and protection? Is this a simple scheduling issue, or part of a larger, more insidious pattern of disrespect and marginalization?
Is This Normal? A Pattern of Disregard
AFCON has already faced numerous disruptions and changes over the years. Traditionally held in the early part of the year to avoid Africa’s rainy season, the tournament has been moved around frequently in recent years. Each time, the explanation seems reasonable on the surface whether it’s avoiding overlap with the European club calendar or accommodating other major international events like the FIFA World Cup. However, these repeated shifts expose a disturbing trend: African football is often treated as secondary, an inconvenience to the global football elite.
This recent shift to December 2025 is particularly harmful. December is the peak of the European club football season, meaning that Africa’s top players most of whom play in Europe will either have to miss crucial matches or endure the strain of traveling back to Africa for national duty. Would UEFA allow the European Championship to take place during the height of the club season? Absolutely not. European competitions, like the Champions League or domestic leagues, are fiercely protected from disruption, with careful planning to avoid conflicting with international tournaments.
So why is it so easy to shift Africa’s flagship competition? This is a question that needs to be asked, and the answer points to a blatant disregard for African football.
The Disrespect Towards African Football
There is a clear pattern of disrespect when it comes to African football. While FIFA and other governing bodies preach inclusivity and fairness, their actions often tell a different story. When European or South American tournaments are scheduled, global football adjusts to accommodate them. Broadcasting rights are fought over, and the world tunes in. But when it comes to African football, it often feels like an afterthought. Players are pressured by their European clubs not to participate in AFCON, with clubs often labeling the tournament an “inconvenience.”
African players, some of the most talented and celebrated in the world, are regularly caught between club and country facing decisions that their European or South American counterparts don’t have to make. If European players were forced to choose between playing for their country or their club in the middle of a critical season, there would be outrage. But for African players, this has become the norm, a reflection of the broader disrespect for African football.
FIFA’s Role in Perpetuating Injustice
This disrespect isn’t just a matter of scheduling. FIFA has a long history of treating African nations and their football associations poorly. A prime example is the recent arbitrary suspension of Samuel Eto’o, the President of the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT), for speaking out against injustice. Eto’o was suspended for six months after criticizing unfair refereeing decisions that penalized Cameroon during the U-20 World Cup. Despite widespread agreement that these decisions were unfair, FIFA moved quickly to silence one of Africa’s most respected voices.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Over the years, FIFA has consistently shown a bias against African teams and officials. Whether through dubious refereeing decisions that seem to always go against African teams or the quick sanctions handed down to African football officials who speak out, there is a clear pattern of inequality.
Why Does FIFA Treat Africa Differently?
At its core, this issue reflects the larger, systemic bias that African football faces. The global football establishment, led by FIFA, places the interests of European and South American football above those of Africa. African nations have long been marginalized, and AFCON, despite being a premier football event with immense talent and passion, is treated as an afterthought.
FIFA’s credibility as an impartial governing body is deeply undermined when it allows such blatant inequalities to persist. While African football has contributed immensely to the global game producing some of the world’s best players and coaches it continues to be treated as second-class. It is time that FIFA, UEFA, and the broader football world take African football seriously.
Time for Change: Africa Deserves Better
It is time for African football to stand up and demand equal treatment. CAF, the African football body, must be more assertive in defending its tournaments and players on the global stage. There is no reason AFCON should be treated as an inconvenience, and African football deserves the same respect given to European football.
The decision to move AFCON to December 2025 is more than just a scheduling conflict it is a reflection of the broader disrespect and marginalization that African football faces. The time has come for FIFA to acknowledge this reality and give African football the respect it deserves. African footballers, fans, and nations have waited long enough. FIFA, it’s time to stop treating Africa as an inconvenience. The world’s greatest game is universal, and every continent deserves equal respect.
