CAF mulls foreign referees for 2025 AFCON

With just four months remaining until the kickoff of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Confederation of African Football (CAF) is reportedly considering appointing referees from outside the continent to officiate matches at the tournament.

The proposal comes amid mounting criticism over the performance of African match officials, following a series of controversial decisions in recent major competitions. Sources close to CAF reveal that the executive committee has begun internal discussions on the possibility of bringing in foreign referees, particularly for high-stakes matches.

Should the plan be approved, it would mark a major shift in CAF’s approach to officiating and could ignite broader conversations about the development, credibility, and investment in local refereeing standards across Africa.