The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially approved an expanded squad size of 28 players for all national teams participating in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The announcement was made during CAF’s latest executive committee meeting, reflecting the governing body’s efforts to enhance competitiveness and strategic flexibility for participating nations.
Previously, teams competing in AFCON were limited to a 23-man squad. The increase to 28 players allows coaches to include more depth across key positions, particularly in light of congested fixtures, injuries, and player rotation needs. CAF emphasized that the move is intended to ensure higher-quality matches and reduce the risk of player fatigue during the month-long tournament.
CAF President Patrice Motsepe said in a statement, “Expanding squad sizes for AFCON 2025 ensures that teams can adequately plan for injuries and tactical flexibility. It will also allow African football to showcase its best talent across all participating nations.”
The expanded squad provides national team coaches with the opportunity to integrate younger talents alongside experienced players, creating a more competitive environment. Analysts expect this to influence team selection strategies, particularly for countries with deep talent pools like Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal, and Morocco.
For instance, teams facing back-to-back matches in the tournament’s group stage will benefit from the ability to rotate players without compromising quality. The adjustment is also seen as a boost for players competing in Europe and other international leagues, as it allows more squad members to gain AFCON experience.
Many national team managers have welcomed the move, calling it a progressive step for African football. Coach José Peseiro of the Nigerian national team commented, “Having 28 players allows us to plan better for all eventualities. It will be particularly useful during the knockout stages when managing player fitness is critical.”
Football analysts also noted that the change aligns AFCON with global tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, which allows squads of up to 26 players. This move is expected to enhance the professionalism and competitiveness of African football.
AFCON 2025 is scheduled to be hosted in Guinea, with fixtures spanning across multiple cities. With the tournament just months away, national teams are accelerating preparations, including player selection, tactical drills, and training camps. The expanded squad size will allow coaches to experiment with new formations and strategies while maintaining a strong bench.
CAF has instructed all participating nations to submit a provisional 28-player squad list by a set deadline before the final confirmation of tournament rosters. Failure to comply could result in sanctions, CAF noted in its directive.
The squad expansion is seen as part of CAF’s broader vision to improve the standard of African football and give players maximum exposure on the continental stage. Fans across Africa are eagerly anticipating the tournament, and the addition of extra players is expected to increase excitement, tactical diversity, and overall match quality.
