Audio By Carbonatix
The Egyptian Football Association (EFA) has ruled itself out of the bidding process to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, saying it "will not compete with another Arabic country."
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) is looking for new hosts after its executive committee voted unanimously on Friday to strip Cameroon of hosting rights.
"After an EFA meeting on Tuesday, we decided we will not make a bid for the next Afcon," EFA board member and spokesman Ahmed Megahed said.
"We will not compete with another Arabic country - this is an official decision," Megahed told local media outside the EFA headquarters in Cairo.
BBC Sport understands Morocco - having stepped in to hold this year's African Nations Championship (CHAN) after Kenya were deemed not ready - and South Africa are under consideration as replacement hosts.
Egypt last hosted an Africa Cup of Nations in 2006 when the Pharaohs won the trophy.
Caf said it would "initiate an open and urgent call for new host country bids to ensure Afcon 2019 takes place next summer" and would "ensure that a new host is in place by 31st December 2018."
The Confederation of African Football (Caf) is looking for new hosts after its executive committee voted unanimously on Friday to strip Cameroon of hosting rights.
"After an EFA meeting on Tuesday, we decided we will not make a bid for the next Afcon," EFA board member and spokesman Ahmed Megahed said.
"We will not compete with another Arabic country - this is an official decision," Megahed told local media outside the EFA headquarters in Cairo.
BBC Sport understands Morocco - having stepped in to hold this year's African Nations Championship (CHAN) after Kenya were deemed not ready - and South Africa are under consideration as replacement hosts.
Egypt last hosted an Africa Cup of Nations in 2006 when the Pharaohs won the trophy.
Caf said it would "initiate an open and urgent call for new host country bids to ensure Afcon 2019 takes place next summer" and would "ensure that a new host is in place by 31st December 2018."
Latest Stories
-
Nana Yaa Jantuah calls for renewed commitment to Nkrumah’s vision
30 minutes -
CAGD explains delay in teachers’ promotion arrears, says 6,079 cases already paid
35 minutes -
Fuel, taxes and loans are driving up airfares – Prof Quartey
40 minutes -
Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire mark major border milestone with 37 new pillars
1 hour -
Almost everything in Ghana is expensive – CUTS Director on airfare debate
1 hour -
NAFCO builds GH¢100m food buffer as Ghana moves to strengthen food security
1 hour -
Oil heads higher as US-Iran peace talks in stalemate
2 hours -
GAF sets Sept. 28–30 for Documentation, Body Selection Exercise
2 hours -
Eric Obuaba declares intention to contest NDC National Executive position
2 hours -
I resigned five months ago – BoG Governor Asiama explains GoldBod Board exit
2 hours -
Trump says men arrested at UK air base used by US were looking to do ‘big damage’
2 hours -
Trump confirms meeting with Anthropic’s Amodei, repeats dismissal of AI fears
3 hours -
China pushes back against US on Iran and Cuba in UN speech
3 hours -
OpenAI, Anthropic CEOs called to appear at Australian AI probe
3 hours -
Small market, low incomes keep Ghana’s domestic airfares high, says Prof Peter Quartey
5 hours