New CAF rules reshape tournament planning for AFCON 2025 in Morocco

The Confederation of African Football (CAF), alongside the Local Organising Committee for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has laid down crucial regulations for the upcoming tournament in Morocco.

With AFCON just around the corner, CAF convened a pivotal Zoom meeting on Wednesday with representatives from all 24 participating teams. After a comprehensive discussion, CAF confirmed several new measures to enhance team preparations and protect the integrity of the competition.

The tournament takes place from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026 across six vibrant cities in Morocco. CAF's measures aim to streamline the event while ensuring teams are fully aware of the challenges ahead.

One significant outcome of the meeting is that each nation will be permitted to register a maximum of 28 players, rather than the usual 23, selected from a preliminary squad of 55 players. This grants teams greater flexibility in managing their squads during the tournament.

However, CAF will only cater for 23 players in terms of travel, accommodation and other competition-related logistics. Federations will be required to cover the cost of any additional players.

Furthermore, teams will be allowed to bring up to 17 staff members, including technical, administrative and medical personnel, ensuring they have adequate support on the ground.

Given logistical constraints, teams may arrive in Morocco up to five days before the opening ceremony. This additional time is intended to facilitate smoother preparations as teams settle in and acclimatise before the tournament kicks off on December 21.

Clubs are required to release players by December 8 in compliance with FIFA regulations, allowing for thorough integration into national setups.

Another significant deadline is December 11, by which all teams must submit their final squads. Teams will be able to amend their selections only in cases of force majeure, notably in the event of injuries acknowledged by the organising committee.

In a further reiteration of discipline, any team that fails to submit its final squad within seven days of the opening game will have its squad automatically limited to 21 players.

The meeting also addressed key operational areas, including visa arrangements for officials, training camps, team hotels, and media and marketing protocols.

In addition, discussions focused on doping regulations, medical provisions, referee interactions and various commercial activities to ensure comprehensive coordination of the tournament.

AFCON, which will be played across six vibrant cities in Morocco, promises to be a celebration of African football at its finest. As nations prepare to vie for the coveted title, the regulations set forth by CAF will play a crucial role in shaping the tournament's success.