Ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) set to take place in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) held a virtual meeting with the delegations of the qualified teams.
The meeting, conducted via Zoom, covered a range of critical issues and decisions in preparation for the continent’s premier football competition.
Several key points were agreed upon during the session:
Player Registration: Each team will be allowed to register a maximum of 27 players. These players must be selected from the initial 55-man preliminary squad submitted by each nation.
Staff Members: Each delegation will be permitted a total of 17 staff members. This includes technical, administrative, and medical personnel, ensuring teams are adequately supported throughout the tournament.
Arrival Time: Teams are permitted to arrive in Morocco up to five days before the opening ceremony. This will provide ample time for teams to settle in and fine-tune their preparations for the competition.
Player Release Date: In a key decision, it was confirmed that clubs must release players by December 8, 2025. This deadline, approved by FIFA, ensures that all players are available for their national teams ahead of the tournament’s start.
Beyond these key decisions, the meeting also covered several other important aspects of the tournament:
Visas and Logistics: Discussions included the facilitation of visas for officials, team hotels, training camps, and transportation arrangements. Each delegation was assured that logistics would be well-managed to guarantee a smooth experience in Morocco.
Doping and Medical Regulations: CAF reiterated the importance of adherence to anti-doping regulations and medical protocols, with an emphasis on player safety and fair competition.
Team Conduct and Referee Interactions: The LOC and CAF stressed the importance of maintaining professionalism and good conduct both on and off the pitch, including proper interactions with match officials.
Commercial and Media Matters: The meeting also addressed media and marketing considerations, ensuring that teams’ and sponsors’ interests are respected, with the tournament poised to attract global attention.
In addition to logistical concerns, the teams also made several requests for improvements to the competition’s environment:
Coach’s Request for Extra Seating: Coaches requested additional seating behind team benches to better analyze the games, similar to the arrangement in top global leagues.
Security and Privacy at Hotels: Delegations emphasized the need for strict security and privacy measures around their hotels to prevent unnecessary disturbances and ensure players remain focused throughout the tournament.
Transportation Support: The LOC confirmed that full transportation support would be provided to all teams from five days before their first match until 24 hours after their final game. This includes a 50-seater team bus, a vehicle for the head of delegation, an equipment truck, and full airport and inter-city transfers.
The competition will kick off on December 21, 2025, and is set to run until January 18, 2026, marking a highly anticipated edition of Africa’s premier football tournament.
As teams begin their preparations, this meeting is expected to ensure that AFCON 2025 will be a well-organized and highly competitive event.
 set to take place in Morocco, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) held a virtual meeting with the delegations of the qualified teams){kind=link}