CAF names 73 match officials for AFCON 2025

The Confederation of African Football has released the full roster of referees who will oversee matches at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, scheduled for December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

In total, 73 officials have been selected:
28 centre referees, 31 assistant referees, and 14 VAR specialists—all chosen based on experience and recent performances in major CAF competitions. Notably, no Nigerian referee made this year’s list.

CAF said the officials represent every region of the continent and include some of Africa’s top-performing match arbiters.

Those selected are expected to arrive in Morocco by December 15 for an intensive preparatory programme. The training camp, organised by CAF’s Referees Department, will feature physical drills, technical sessions, and theory classes to ensure the highest officiating standards during the tournament.

CAF emphasised that the selection process reflects its ongoing efforts to improve refereeing quality, protect the integrity of the competition, and raise technical standards across African football.