CAF Releases List of 73 Match Officials For AFCON 2025

CAF Releases List of 73 Match Officials For AFCON 2025

By BSN Sports 

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced the full list of 73 match officials appointed to officiate at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 in Morocco, BSNSports.com.ng reports. 

The tournament is scheduled to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

The roster features 28 centre referees, 31 assistant referees, and 14 Video Assistant Referee (VAR) specialists, representing a wide cross-section of officiating talent from across the continent. CAF stated that the selected officials were chosen based on their performance in recent high-level competitions and their demonstrated ability to manage matches under pressure.

However, the announcement sparked immediate reaction in Nigeria, one of Africa’s traditional football strongholds, after it emerged that no Nigerian referee made the final list. The omission stands out given the country’s longstanding contribution to African football and its vibrant domestic league system.

The selected officials are expected to arrive in Morocco by December 15 for an intensive, week-long preparatory camp. The programme, managed by CAF’s Referees Department, will include fitness tests, technical workshops, and simulation exercises aimed at ensuring uniformity and excellence in officiating throughout the competition.

CAF maintains that its rigorous selection and preparation process is central to safeguarding the integrity of the continent’s premier football event. Still, the absence of Nigerian match officials has reignited conversations about the development trajectory of refereeing in the country and the increasing competitiveness of officiating roles at the continental level.