The governing body for football in Africa, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) has inked a partnership with the European Union (EU) for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 and several other flagship tournaments.
The agreement is the first time a political and economic union such as the EU has officially collaborated as a sponsor of Africa’s premier football championship. Already associated with TotalEnergies, this new relationship adds even more financial and developmental support to a competition that is gaining worldwide traction.
AFCON 2025 is scheduled for December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, and will now be supported by TotalEnergies and the European Union. The deal, however, does not end there; it also includes the 2027 edition of AFCON, which Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania will co-host, as well as the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (held from July 5 to July 26) and the African Schools Football Championship.
CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe, said, “Our partnership reflects the mutual commitment of CAF and the European Union to the development and growth of African football, schools and youth football, and the expansion of the cultural, trade and investment relationships between our two continents. I would like to express my gratitude to the President of the European Union Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Jozef Síkela and the EU for this exciting partnership.”
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, said, “The EC and Africa are partners of choice. The European Union is the first trading partner and the fist investor in Africa. Global Gateway is the Africa-Europe plan with more than €150 billion ($168,10 billon) investment, financing infrastructural projects abroad. But it is more. It is about creating bonds, about empowering young people, local communities, and entire regions. Sport and football are part of it.”
The agreement is anticipated to benefit youth development initiatives, infrastructure projects, and grassroots football across the continent, as well as promote diplomatic and economic connections between Africa and Europe.
