The road to Morocco for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has been formally set after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organising Committee (LOC) outlined the tournament’s key regulations during a virtual meeting with representatives of all 24 participating nations.
In the briefing, CAF detailed the operational blueprint that will guide team preparations, logistics and compliance ahead of Africa’s biggest football showpiece.
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The body emphasized that the regulations are aimed at delivering a seamless, world-class tournament experience.
Expanded Squad Capacity
One of the major updates is an increase in squad size. Each country will now submit 28 players from a provisional list of 55, granting coaches more depth and flexibility throughout the competition.
Staff Structure and Logistics
CAF also confirmed that teams may travel with a maximum of 17 officials, including technical crew, administrative personnel and medical staff.
Additionally, participating nations will be permitted to arrive in Morocco as early as five days before the opening match, giving players ample time to settle and acclimatize.
Player Release Deadline
To guarantee adequate preparation time, FIFA has set December 8 as the mandatory release date for players, ensuring clubs make them available for national team duties.
Beyond team-related matters, CAF and the LOC also addressed wider operational areas such as visa processing, international travel, accommodation plans, training sites, media operations, marketing protocols, anti-doping measures, medical services, refereeing coordination and commercial arrangements.
CAF reiterated that these measures are designed to uphold the highest organisational standards and ensure a smooth, secure and memorable AFCON 2025 for teams, officials, fans and global broadcasters.
The competition will begin on December 21, 2025.
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