The Confederation of African Football said on Friday that teams competing in the Africa Cup of Nations finals next month will have the option to choose 27 players to compete in the competition in the Ivory Coast.

This player is a cut from the 2022 finals in Cameroon, where teams were permitted to have a 28-man roster.

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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of participants was raised from 23 in prior tournaments to 25 that year.

Only 23 of the 27 players might be chosen for each game in the finals, which begin on January 13, according to CAF.

Africa’s decision is in contrast to that of UEFA, the organisation that oversees football in Europe, which declared in October that the squad size for the upcoming June Euro 2024 tournament would be reduced.

COVID-19 permitted 26-man squads for the most recent European Championship, which was hosted in mid-2021; however, teams will only be allowed 23 players following year.

There will also be 23-man squads for the Asian Cup in January in Qatar.

International governing body Because the World Cup was held in Qatar in the middle of the season, FIFA permitted 26 players to compete.