Cameroon stripped of 2019 African Cup of Nations hosting due to delays amid political unrest

Cameroon has been stripped of the right to host next year’s African Cup of Nations due to planning delays and ongoing violence in proximity to two of the planned venues.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced the decision on Friday evening following a meeting of its executive committee earlier in the day.

The west African country’s bid was already in jeopardy after ‘significant delays’ in the construction of stadiums and infrastructure forced the CAF to put in place contingency measures.

The failure of two subsequent inspection visits has given the association little option but to re-open the bidding process.

Countries have until the end of December to submit bids with Morocco, which just missed out with its bid for the 2026 World Cup to a pan-North American bid, one possible destination.

The tournament takes place between June and July of 2019 and will consist of an expanded pool of 24 teams.