European Union To Sponsor Next Two Editions Of AFCON 

Sampson Adedeji

In a surprising announcement on Sunday, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) revealed that the European Union will be an official sponsor of the next two editions of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), BSNSports.com.ng reports.

While the 2025 AFCON, scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, is already sponsored by French energy giant TotalEnergies, CAF confirmed that the EU has now joined as an additional partner.

This historic sponsorship agreement also extends to the 2027 edition of AFCON, which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Furthermore, the partnership includes support for the 2025 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (set for July 5–26) and the CAF African Schools Football Championship.

"CAF and the European Union today concluded a historic partnership agreement that will see the EU sponsor the 2025 and 2027 TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations, the 2025 TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and the CAF African Schools Football Championship," CAF stated.

The agreement was signed in Cairo by CAF President Patrice Motsepe and Jozef Síkela, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships.

Speaking at the event, Motsepe highlighted the broader significance of the partnership: “Our collaboration with the European Union reflects a shared commitment to advancing African football at all levels—professional, youth, and school football—while also strengthening cultural, trade, and investment ties between Africa and Europe.”