Rabat – Kooralife Follow-up
Patrice Motsepe, President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), has officially announced a significant increase in the prize money for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025. The champion will now receive an unprecedented $10 million, a move aimed at elevating the prestige of the continental tournament, which Morocco will host.
The announcement was made during a press conference held by the CAF President ahead of the AFCON finals. Motsepe emphasized that the new increase reflects CAF’s commitment to developing the competition and enhancing its competitiveness, both athletically and commercially.
AFCON 2025 Prizes Reach Record High
Motsepe elaborated that the final prize money has seen remarkable growth in recent years. Previously capped at $5 million in earlier editions, it gradually rose to $8 million before reaching its current $10 million.
The CAF President affirmed that this decision is part of a comprehensive strategy designed to support African national teams and motivate players to deliver higher levels of performance during the continental competition.
Supporting Continental Competition and Enhancing Tournament Image
Motsepe noted that the increased prize money for AFCON 2025 is not limited to the ultimate winner. It also includes improved financial returns for other participating teams, enabling them to further develop their sporting programs and infrastructure.
He added that CAF aims to establish the Africa Cup of Nations as one of the world’s strongest continental tournaments, both in terms of organization and market value.
New Changes in African Competition Calendar
In related news, the CAF President unveiled a new regulation concerning the organization of the Africa Cup of Nations, which will follow a revised calendar in the coming years. Two consecutive editions are planned for 2027 and 2028.
He explained that CAF will subsequently adopt a system of organizing the tournament once every four years, with the goal of ensuring programming stability and improving the quality of competition.
Launch of the African Nations League
Motsepe also discussed a new project to be launched in partnership with FIFA: the creation of the African Nations League. This competition will feature the continent’s national teams, divided geographically into four regions.
This new competition is expected to commence in 2029, as part of a vision to provide strong and regular matches for African national teams outside the traditional qualification rounds.
Increased Financial Support for National Federations
The CAF President confirmed that the African Union has decided to increase financial support allocated to African national federations by an additional $1 million. This aims to bolster training and management programs within these federations.
He pointed out that this financial support will contribute to improving working conditions within the African football ecosystem and enhancing governance and professional management.
Morocco at the Heart of the Continental Project
Morocco’s selection to host AFCON 2025 reflects the immense confidence CAF places in the Kingdom, given its advanced infrastructure and organizational expertise accumulated in recent years.
This edition is expected to be a pivotal moment in the tournament’s history, especially with the unprecedented increase in prize money and the accompanying widespread media and public interest.
Through these decisions, CAF seeks to usher in a new era for African football, built on competitiveness, financial sustainability, and strengthening the continent’s presence in the global football landscape.
