FIFA has confirmed that players participating in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will officially be released to their national teams on December 15. The announcement brings relief to many European clubs that had raised concerns about losing key African players too early in the season.
The revised date allows clubs an extra week with their players before they join their national squads for pre-AFCON preparations.
This decision comes after discussions involving FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and other football stakeholders, aiming to strike a balance between club obligations and international duties.
The extended release window is expected to particularly benefit clubs in Europe’s top leagues, where December fixtures often influence title races and qualification for continental competitions.
The 2025 AFCON will be hosted in Morocco and will feature the continent’s strongest national teams in one of Africa’s most anticipated football events.
For Nigeria, the ruling means Super Eagles stars like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and others will be available for their clubs deeper into the busy festive schedule.
However, clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United will still face the temporary loss of key African players once the tournament begins.
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