Afcon 2023: Ivory Coast Signs Hosting Agreement For Nations Cup | Football/Soccer

Officials from the Ivory Coast government signed a proper internet hosting settlement for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations with the Confederation of African Football (Caf) on Friday.

The signing is critical because it all however ensures that the following finals, which can really happen in 2024, can be held within the West African nation.

In latest years, the host nation for Nations Cups has moved round at comparatively quick discover, with Cameroon having misplaced the 2019 finals forward of belatedly staging them earlier this yr.

Along with different dignitaries, Caf president Patrice Motsepe was in Abidjan to fulfill Ivorian government officers, together with vice-president Tiemoko Meyliet Kone and sports activities minister Paulin Claude Dahno, who signed the settlement.

Six stadia in 5 cities - Abidjan, Bouake, Korhogo, San-Pedro and the capital Yamoussoukro - will host the 24-team finals, which can be held in January and February 2024.

The Stade Olympique d'Ebimpe, a 60,000-capacity stadium in Abidjan, is ready to host the opening sport and last, whereas the 45,000-capacity Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium within the metropolis can be being renovated.

The Organizing Committee of the African Cup of Nations 2023 stated it was happy with the progress of labor on the Ebimpe stadium on the finish of a technical go to final month.

Meanwhile, the nation's National Office of Infrastructure said that stadiums in Bouake and Yamoussoukro, which can maintain 40,000 and 20,000 respectively, are nearly full.

However, the BBC's Lalla Sy in Abidjan says that issues have been raised about whether or not there can be sufficient lodge rooms accessible to accommodate competing groups, dignitaries and officers and touring supporters.

Siandou Fofana, Ivory Coast's Minister of Tourism, has referred to as for accommodations to be upgraded to worldwide requirements.

2023 finals moved, new hosts for 2025

The 2023 Nations Cup was initially scheduled for June and July subsequent yr, however was moved to keep away from the wet season in Ivory Coast.

Qualifiers for the finals are underway however proposed fixtures in September have been rescheduled to permit Africa's 5 individuals within the World Cup to rearrange pleasant matches.

Group fixtures will resume within the subsequent worldwide break in March, with the ultimate two rounds of fixtures being held subsequent September.

Ivory Coast are enjoying in Group H regardless of already being assured of a spot on the event.

Meanwhile, Caf can be in search of new hosts of the 2025 Nations Cup after stripping Guinea of ​​internet hosting rights final month due to a scarcity of suitably advancing infrastructure and amenities.

The continent's governing physique set Friday as a deadline for nations to declare curiosity in staging the event and, after receiving paperwork and touring bidding nations, is because of announce the profitable nation or co-hosts on 10 February.