The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has announced the list of match officials selected to officiate at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, set to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

 

A total of 73 experienced officials have been appointed for this prestigious tournament, including 28 referees, 31 assistant referees, and 14 VAR officials. These officials have been carefully chosen to represent all regions of Africa, with many having officiated at major CAF competitions in recent years.

 

However, no Nigerian referees made the list, a noteworthy absence in this year’s selection.

The appointed officials are expected to arrive in Morocco on December 15, 2025, for an intensive preparatory course ahead of the competition.

 

This training program, organized by CAF’s Referees Department, will focus on physical, technical, and theoretical assessments designed to ensure the highest standards of officiating throughout the tournament.

 

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CAF’s meticulous selection process highlights the organization’s ongoing commitment to refereeing excellence and the integrity of the competition. The move also reinforces the Confederation’s broader efforts to elevate technical standards across African football.

 

As the tournament approaches, these highly skilled match officials will play a crucial role in ensuring fair play and maintaining the competitive integrity of Africa’s premier football competition.

 

Source: Punch