Fan ID update opens doors
The race toward the next TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled for Morocco in 2025, has taken a decisive digital turn. On 28 October the Local Organising Committee unveiled a fresh feature on the Yalla application, simplifying the Fan ID procedure for four high-profile football nations.
Supporters from Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa and Zambia can now type their personal data directly instead of relying on electronic passport readers. The adjustment responds to the fact that many citizens in those countries still carry non-biometric passports, a hurdle that previously slowed access to the official ticketing portal.
One profile, one seat: how the system works
Under the CAN system, every fan needs a unique digital identity before a seat can be reserved. A Fan ID doubles as accreditation, travel facilitator and in-stadium security filter, meaning the profile cannot be shared. Each ID unlocks only one ticket per game, organisers insist.
The LOC wants the process to feel immediate and trustworthy, hence its decision to push the update nearly 20 months before the tournament. Officials argue that early adoption will ease eventual peaks in demand once the final match calendar and pricing grid are published by the CAF.
Guarding against fraud on the road to Morocco
For now, all sales remain centralised on tickets.cafonline.com. The committee reiterates that no third-party website, social media page or travel agency has authorisation to distribute seats. Supporters are urged to treat any alternative offer as potentially fraudulent and to report suspicious links to the dedicated helpdesk.
The safeguard echoes lessons from previous continental competitions where fake domains and counterfeit PDFs flooded fan groups within hours of high-demand fixtures. By funnelling transactions through a single monitored gateway, the CAF believes it can curb resale inflation and preserve family-friendly prices in the months ahead.
24/7 support boosts tourism ambitions
Because the mobile era calls for always-on assistance, organisers have activated a trilingual customer care line, open day and night. Callers to the Moroccan number plus-212-5-30-30-20-30, or writers to [email protected], can receive guidance in Arabic, English or French, covering registration, payment or stadium logistics.
Moroccan authorities frame the service as part of a broader commitment to hospitable, tech-driven tourism in 2025. The same support desk already accompanied ticket launch campaigns during last year’s Club World Cup in Rabat, a dress rehearsal praised for its relatively low complaint rate by independent fan associations.
Hybrid identity model and passport realities
The new Yalla function, however, goes beyond customer care. By granting manual entry to the four countries, developers are effectively piloting a hybrid identity model that could extend to more African markets. Engineers will analyse response times, error frequency and login security before recommending a broader rollout.
While biometric passports remain a continental goal endorsed by the African Union, implementation speeds vary. Egypt’s interior ministry has started issuing next-generation documents, yet millions still travel on legacy booklets. Similar gaps persist in Tunisia, South Africa and Zambia, making the manual workaround a timely bridge rather than a detour.
A win for business, safety and unity
Ticketing analysts note that simplifying entry for those four nations matters commercially and atmospherically. Combined, their expatriate communities in Europe and the Gulf represent vast pools of potential travellers. Filling Moroccan hotels and transport corridors with organised fans could raise tournament revenues while reinforcing perceptions of African unity.
Sabir El Bahja, a Casablanca-based sports economist, stresses that early clarity on ticket rules also empowers airlines and tour operators. ‘If carriers know how many Fan IDs are being issued per week, they can calibrate fares responsibly and avoid last-minute price spikes,’ he told local station Radio Mars.
Beyond business, safety drives the obsession with unique identifiers. Law-enforcement agencies partnered with the LOC aim to match Fan ID databases against watchlists, reducing the risk of stadium incidents. Coordinators cite successful trials during the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup in Morocco, where no major security breach was recorded.
Courting goodwill from Brazzaville to Lusaka
The committee’s statement also carried a word of thanks to supporters, media and partners for what it described as ‘overwhelming enthusiasm.’ Observers say such public gratitude signals an intention to cultivate goodwill well before kickoff, a tactic that can soften inevitable debates over scheduling or ticket categories.
In Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, the news has already rippled through local viewing centres, where fans gather nightly to discuss qualification paths. Congolese supporters, whose Red Devils remain in the race for a place in Morocco, see the self-registration tool as a template that could soon benefit them too.
Next steps before the 2025 kick-off
Spotlight now rests on Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa and Zambia, first beneficiaries of the inclusive digital gate. If the trial remains glitch-free, organisers say more federations will follow. The message meanwhile is clear: register early, use the official platform, and gear up for an unforgettable 2025 tournament.
Moroccan rail operator ONCF has already hinted at special fares for ticketholders, underscoring how transport players align with the digital drive.