More room on the bench
The Confederation of African Football has officially allowed each of the 24 qualified teams to register 28 players, up from the traditional 23, for the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled from 21 December to 18 January in Morocco (CAF communiqué).
The decision followed a two-hour video meeting that gathered officials from every federation, including the Congolese Football Federation, and staff from the Local Organising Committee. Participants endorsed the new figure by consensus after short consultations with national coaches.
Squad lists will be selected from a preliminary pool of 55 names submitted months earlier. “We aim to give technical staffs wider options without compromising tournament integrity,” explained competitions director Samson Adamu during the call, stressing the need for depth in a congested calendar.
Why 28 is the magic number
With five extra slots, coaches can safely cover injuries, suspensions or late COVID-19 alerts, issues that plagued the 2021 edition in Cameroon. Analytical models run by CAF’s medical and performance units showed that a 28-man roster reduces emergency replacements by nearly half.
Tactically, the amendment encourages fresher rotations, especially for teams that rely on high-pressing football under midsummer temperatures. Congolese boss Paul Put privately welcomed the change, noting that it « prevents rushing half-fit players back on the pitch and keeps competition inside the camp alive ».
Clubs also gain clarity. Knowing that fringe players still have a chance to appear, many European sides have reportedly softened their stance on releasing talent from their academies, a point highlighted by the Moroccan federation during the briefing.
Logistics fine-tuned five days early
Delegations may fly into Morocco up to five days before kick-off to acclimatise to winter evenings in Rabat or balmy afternoons in Agadir. CAF’s travel desk will coordinate charter arrivals to avoid bottlenecks at Casablanca’s Mohamed V Airport.
Each group will be based in a designated city, with training pitches no more than 30 minutes away from team hotels. The organising committee confirmed that turf renovations in Tangier and Fez are on schedule, easing concerns raised by visiting ground-keepers during previous site visits.
Team staff limits have been set at 17 members, covering coaches, physios, video analysts, media officers and security liaisons. CAF underlined that exceeding this quota will not be possible, as accreditation badges are tied directly to transportation and accommodation capacities.
FIFA release date holds firm
Even with larger squads, clubs must still free their African internationals by 8 December, the globally standardised date established in the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. CAF says no waiver is foreseen.
European coaches consulted during the call requested a shorter release window, yet the continental body reminded them that the law equally applies to World Cups and continental championships. Consequently, Congolese stars playing in Ligue 1 or Belgium must report to Brazzaville camp before transiting to Morocco.
CAF believes the compromise balances club interests and national pride. « We cannot run a flagship competition with empty benches, but we also recognise winter schedules in Europe, » said deputy secretary general Anthony Baffoe.
Behind the scenes: visas to VAR
Moroccan authorities pledged to issue team visas within 72 hours once final lists arrive, using a streamlined online portal tested during the recent U-23 tournament. Supporters from accredited fan groups will benefit from the same fast-track procedure.
On transportation, every side receives an exclusive bus painted in national colours and a dedicated domestic flight allowance should they need to switch host cities between matches. The federation stressed that fuel costs remain locked despite global fluctuations, a relief for budget-conscious delegations.
Medical protocols mirror those introduced at Qatar 2022. Each stadium will house a mobile laboratory able to process anti-doping samples within two hours, while VAR operations, supervised by a joint CAF–FIFA crew, undergo final calibration tests next month in Marrakech.
Morocco’s race to be ready
From Casablanca’s new tram link to the refurbished Prince Moulay Abdellah complex, construction crews are working double shifts. According to local organisers, 85 percent of infrastructure upgrades are already completed, with lighting and hospitality suites entering final inspection phase.
Tourism officials expect 1.2 million visitors across the four-week festival, injecting fresh currency into hotels, souks and transport networks. The Congolese diaspora in Europe has begun pooling resources for charter packages that combine group-stage tickets and guided excursions.
For fans at home, national broadcaster Télé Congo secured free-to-air rights, and private operators are negotiating mobile streaming deals. Add the expanded squads, and the 2025 showpiece promises more playing time for rising Congolese talents eager to test themselves on Africa’s brightest stage.
