CAF's 10-day squad deadline set to test AFCON coaches' planning

Rather than simply tightening administration, the new rules place greater responsibility on national team coaches and technical staff, who will now have to rethink squad rotation, tactical depth, and pre-match routines.

One of the most impactful adjustments is the requirement for countries to submit their final squad list 10 days before the start of the tournament. Any delay triggers a $10,000 fine, according to Africa Top Sports.

With injuries and late fitness tests common in African qualifiers and friendlies, the earlier deadline may force coaches to take fewer risks when selecting fringe or partially fit players.

CAF has also introduced new travel restrictions that limit teams to moving only 18 players between host cities — whether by plane, road, or train. This rule will demand sharper strategic planning, as coaches must decide which players travel and which stay behind, particularly in squads that rely on frequent tactical changes.

Travel timelines have been clearly defined as well. Teams moving from Rabat to Casablanca will travel on matchday morning, while sides heading to other cities will be allowed to move a day before their fixtures. These tighter windows could influence rest periods, recovery schedules, and matchday routines.

Another major change affects pre-match preparations. Full training sessions at match venues on the eve of fixtures have been scrapped. Instead, teams can only visit stadiums between 2pm and 9pm, and even then, only for walk-throughs and familiarisation, pending CAF approval.

Collectively, these adjustments represent some of the most stringent logistical reforms ever introduced for AFCON.

While CAF aims to improve efficiency and reduce congestion, coaches will now face a new layer of strategic decisions that could have a real impact on performance during Africa's biggest football showcase.