AFCON 2024: Nations submit squads as tournament nears kick-off

Teams that are going to participate in the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations have submitted their provisional squads ahead of the January-February tournament.

The African football governing body, CAF, has confirmed the submission as time runs towards the kick-off of the biennial tournament, which will be held in Ivory Coast.

“In line with the regulations for the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023, the 24 participating teams have finalized their provisional squads for the tournament.

“According to the regulations, each Participating Member Association (PMA) qualified for the final tournament is to submit a provisional list of no more than 55 players no later than December 14, 2023,” CAF announced.

Procedure

CAF announced a critical procedure that has to be followed by participating countries.

“Following a decision by the CAF organizing committee of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, the PMAs will be permitted a final squad of 27 players, four more than the initial 23 from previous tournaments. The registration of the four additional players on the final list is only an option and not an obligation.

“In case a team submits a final squad of between 24 and 27 players, only 23 of them will be available for selection for each match during the tournament,” it added.

The teams have some days to finalise their final squads that are going to take part in the tournament, the 34th edition of the continental showpiece.

“In addition, the deadline for the submission of the final squads for the tournament is January 3, 2023, exactly ten (10) days before the opening match.

“Meanwhile, a player in the final squad can only be replaced after a serious injury no less than 24 hours before the team’s first match following the approval of the medical certificate by the CAF Medical Committee,” CAF concluded.

Abidjan, Bouake, Korhogo, San Pedro, and Yamoussoukro are the cities earmarked to host AFCON 2024.