The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has clarified the player registration timetable for the 2026-27 season, providing clubs with updated guidance after speculation over registration deadlines for its continental competitions.
The announcement follows reports suggesting that 25 July was the deadline for participating clubs to submit their player lists, a claim that prompted uncertainty among club officials and supporters, particularly in Morocco, as teams prepared for the new continental campaign.
CAF’s clarification confirms that clubs will have an additional opportunity to register players later in the process, ensuring teams can strengthen their squads ahead of the next stage of the competitions.
According to the governing body’s official timetable, a second player registration window has been scheduled for clubs seeking to add new signings before the second preliminary round of CAF’s continental tournaments.
That registration period will open on 16 August and remain available until 30 September, allowing participating clubs to update their squads during that timeframe.
The confirmation is expected to bring certainty to clubs planning their recruitment strategies after questions emerged over whether player registrations had to be completed by late July.
The speculation surrounding the reported 25 July deadline had generated discussion among football administrators and supporters, with particular attention focused on Moroccan clubs preparing to compete on the continental stage.
CAF’s updated timetable makes clear that teams will have another opportunity to register players beyond the dates that had been widely circulated.
The clarification comes as clubs across Africa continue preparations for the 2026-27 campaign, balancing transfer activity with the administrative requirements for continental competition.
Alongside CAF’s announcement, the Royal Moroccan Football Federation has also confirmed the schedule for the domestic summer transfer window.
The federation said the first registration and transfer period for domestic competitions will take place from 1 August until 15 August.
That domestic registration period precedes CAF’s second continental registration window, giving Moroccan clubs the opportunity to complete local transfer business before making further squad adjustments for African competition.
The coordinated timetable provides clubs with a clearer framework for player recruitment and registration as they prepare for both domestic and continental fixtures.
CAF’s confirmation is expected to remove uncertainty that had surrounded the registration process in recent weeks and enable clubs to plan with greater confidence.
The governing body’s revised schedule outlines when additional players can be registered ahead of the second preliminary round, while the Royal Moroccan Football Federation’s transfer calendar sets out the corresponding timetable for domestic competitions.
With both organisations now confirming their respective registration periods, clubs can continue preparations for the new season with greater clarity over the administrative deadlines that will shape their squad-building plans for the 2026-27 campaign.
