The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially announced and approved an increase in the squad limit for next month’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2025), granting participating nations the option to register up to 27 players for the continental tournament in Morocco.
Under the updated regulations, national teams may submit a final squad of up to 28 players, an increase aimed at easing the burden of injuries, suspensions, and the congested fixture schedule faced by modern footballers.
CAF noted that the decision aligns African football with global practice, following FIFA’s expansion of World Cup squads to 26 and UEFA’s allowance of 26-man squads at Euro 2024.
Still on the updated regulations, only 23 players will fall under CAF’s logistical responsibility, covering travel, accommodation, and other competition-related costs.
Meanwhile the additional four players must be sponsored by each nation’s football federation. Teams have until December 11, 2025, to submit their final squad lists.
Expanded Squads to Manage Injuries and Tactical Demands – CAF
In its official communication, CAF explained that the decision was driven by a desire to give coaches more room to navigate the gruelling nature of the tournament.
According to the statement, the aim is to provide national teams with “greater flexibility, particularly when dealing with injuries, suspensions or specific tactical needs during the tournament.”
The initiative mirrors a broader global trend, where major competitions have adopted enlarged squad lists to accommodate heavy scheduling and player welfare concerns.
Breakdown of Squad and Staff Allowances
Participating nations will also be permitted to register up to 17 technical and support staff, covering key areas such as;
- Coaching,
- Medical care,
- Analytics,
- Logistics, and
- Physical performance.
This increase is expected to improve team operations and deepen technical capacity throughout the tournament.
While teams may name 28 players, only 23 will fall under CAF’s responsibility for travel, accommodation, and logistical support.
The remaining five players must be financially covered by each federation, should they choose to include the full complement.
Nigeria Set to Submit 55-Man Provisional Squad
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) is expected to submit a 55-man provisional list, with the Super Eagles’ official Instagram page confirming that the announcement is imminent.
The final squad submission deadline is December 11, 2025, giving head coach Eric Chelle a tight window to assess player form, fitness, and potential late-injury concerns.
All clubs worldwide are mandated by FIFA to release players for AFCON duty by December 8, regardless of domestic fixture congestion or club reservations.
Nigeria’s training camp will open on December 8, with the Super Eagles scheduled to play a warm-up friendly against Egypt on December 14 as part of their final preparations.
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AFCON Call-Ups Mandatory by December 8
AFCON 2025 will run from December 21 to January 18. This is Morocco’s first time hosting the competition since 1988.
Matches will hold across six major cities: Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier, and Fez.
CAF confirmed that injury replacements will only be permitted under force majeure circumstances, and must be approved no less than 24 hours before a team’s opening match.
All clubs worldwide are required by FIFA regulations to release their players for AFCON duty on December 8, 2025. While some clubs may be hesitant due to busy domestic schedules, they are obligated to comply.
The Super Eagles will officially open camp on the same day, beginning their final phase of preparations for the tournament. Nigeria is scheduled to play a warm-up friendly against Egypt on December 14.
Super Eagles’ Group C Schedule
Nigeria has been drawn in Group C, where they will face three determined opponents:
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December 23: Nigeria vs. Tanzania — Complexe Sportif de Fès, Fès
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December 27: Nigeria vs. Tunisia
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December 30: Nigeria vs. Uganda
The Super Eagles will begin their campaign at the Complexe Sportif de Fès, a stadium expected to attract large crowds as the three-time African champions aim for a strong start.
