CAF outlines key administrative steps for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and confirms strict deadlines that every competing nation must follow ahead of next year’s tournament.
The competition runs from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, and CAF signals a crucial shift into the final phase of preparation.
Le Quotidien reports that 21 November served as the deadline for federations to deliver an extended provisional list of 55 players.
CAF allows each nation to keep that preliminary list private and does not require public disclosure.
CAF now focuses on the next decisive date. Each federation must submit its final 23-man squad by 11 December, exactly ten days before the opening match.
Chapter 30 of Article 72 in the CAF regulations outlines that rule.
CAF enforces strict consequences for late submissions. Any federation that misses the deadline by more than seven days will lose two squad places and enter the tournament with only 21 players.
CAF allows no further adjustments once the final list arrives.
The only exception concerns force majeure. A nation can apply for a change only when a player suffers a serious injury and receives medical confirmation of his inability to compete.
Several teams already began shaping their squads step by step. Algeria, managed by Vladimir Petkovic, chose to announce an intermediate group of 28 players as part of its preparation strategy.
The decision allows the Fennecs to work toward a balanced final squad while maintaining competition among players who aim to secure a place on the official list.
CAF’s firm timelines and detailed rules aim to give structure to a demanding continental event.
Every nation now enters a period of precise planning, strict squad management, and careful player monitoring as the countdown to AFCON 2025 continues.
