The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has introduced several new regulations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, aiming to streamline logistics and enhance tournament operations.
Squad Submission Deadline
Final Squad Submission: National teams must submit their final squad at least 10 days before the opening match. Failure to comply will result in a $10,000 fine.
Travel Restrictions
Player Movement: Only 18 players from each squad are permitted to travel between host cities by plane, road, or train for match commitments.
Rabat to Casablanca: Teams moving from Rabat to Casablanca must do so on matchday morning.
Other Cities: Teams heading to other host cities are allowed to travel a day before their matches.
Training Regulations
Pre-Match Training: Teams are barred from holding full training sessions at match venues on the eve of their games. Instead, they may only visit the stadium for familiarization between 14:00 and 21:00, subject to CAF approval.
Player Release Date
Mandatory Release: FIFA and CAF have agreed that clubs must release players for AFCON duty starting December 15, 2025. This date aligns with the conclusion of the UEFA Champions League group stage, allowing clubs to retain players for an additional week.
Teams with Inter-City Group Stage Fixtures
Several national teams will play group stage matches in different cities, necessitating inter-city travel: Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Uganda, South Africa, Angola, Tanzania, Botswana, Comoros, Mali, Zambia, Sudan, Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Benin Republic, Mozambique, Cameroon, Gabor, Equatorial Guinea.
These regulations are designed to ensure a smooth and organized tournament experience for teams, officials, and fans alike.
