CAF changes interclub rules as clubs gain greater flexibility in player registration

Yesterday 15:04

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is reshaping the regulatory framework governing its interclub competitions, introducing greater flexibility for player movements while giving clubs more room to manage their squads throughout the season.

The changes were approved by the CAF Executive Committee during a virtual meeting on 2 October 2026, chaired by CAF President Patrice Motsepe. Alongside the regulatory amendments, the continental governing body adopted a competitions calendar covering the 2026–2030 period, with the stated aim of giving clubs and member associations greater certainty when preparing for future campaigns.

For clubs such as Raja Club Athletic, RS Berkane, MAS Fès and AS FAR, which regularly feature in CAF competitions, the new provisions could provide additional flexibility in managing players during demanding continental seasons.

Players can now represent more than one club

One of the most significant changes concerns player eligibility.

Under the revised framework, a footballer will be allowed to play for more than one club during the same CAF interclub season. The measure represents a substantial adjustment to the way clubs can handle transfers and squad changes during continental competition.

The reform could be particularly relevant in seasons when clubs face overlapping domestic and continental schedules, injuries or mid-season squad restructuring. It also gives teams greater latitude to adapt their playing resources as competitions progress.

CAF raises the registration ceiling to 40 players

The Executive Committee has also revised the rules governing squad registration.

Each club will now be able to register as many as 40 players at any point during the season. In addition, clubs will be permitted to replace up to four players during the final registration window, provided those players have not appeared in a CAF interclub match during the same season.

The provision creates a wider operational margin for clubs while maintaining a condition designed to prevent players who have already featured in CAF competition from being freely replaced under the new mechanism.

The decision comes as CAF continues to expand the scale and financial importance of its club competitions. For the 2026/27 campaign, the Champions League and Confederation Cup already feature a structured calendar stretching from the preliminary rounds in September and October through the group stages and into the knockout phase in 2027.

Disciplinary matters move to a dedicated body

CAF has also changed the institutional handling of disciplinary cases.

Under the new arrangement, disciplinary matters arising from interclub competitions will be referred to the Disciplinary Board, rather than being handled by the Interclub Committee.

The adjustment separates disciplinary responsibilities from the broader management of interclub competitions and establishes a clearer institutional route for cases requiring disciplinary review.

Women's Champions League set for November

The Executive Committee also confirmed the dates for the final tournament of the CAF Women's Champions League 2026.

The competition will be played from 1 to 15 November 2026, placing women's club football at the centre of the continental calendar during the final months of the year.

CAF's decision comes as the organization continues to strengthen the structure and visibility of its women's competitions alongside its established men's club tournaments.

Senegal to host Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations

Senegal will stage the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations 2026 from 28 November to 6 December 2026.

The country enters the tournament as defending champion and will have the opportunity to compete for the continental title on home sand.

A longer-term calendar for African football

Beyond the individual regulatory changes, CAF's approval of a competitions calendar covering 2026 to 2030 is designed to give clubs, national associations and other stakeholders a clearer framework for long-term planning.

The calendar reform comes at a time when CAF is increasing investment in its interclub competitions. The governing body has previously announced record financial commitments to African club football, including increased prize money and solidarity payments for clubs eliminated during the preliminary rounds.

CAF also confirmed two major events for the remainder of 2026. The CAF Awards 2026 will be held in Lagos, Nigeria, on 7 December, while Nigeria will host the Confederation's Ordinary General Assembly on 21 November. Meanwhile, the CAF Strategy Conference is scheduled for 7–9 October 2026 on Sal Island in Cabo Verde.

Taken together, the decisions signal a broader effort to make CAF competitions easier for clubs to plan for while adapting regulations to the increasingly complex demands of modern African football.