FIFA and CAF agree on December 15 as release date for AFCON players

Thursday, December 4, 2025 - FIFA has confirmed December 15 as the official release date for players heading to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, offering relief to clubs across Europe who had expressed concerns about losing key talents too early in the season.

The new date gives clubs an additional week with their African internationals before they report to their national teams for pre-tournament preparations.

The decision follows discussions between FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and various football stakeholders, aimed at balancing club commitments with national team duties.

The adjusted release window is expected to benefit teams in major European leagues, where fixture congestion in December often plays a crucial role in title races and continental qualification battles.

The 2025 AFCON, scheduled to take place in Morocco, will bring together the continent’s top national teams for one of football’s most anticipated tournaments.

The ruling means Super Eagles stars such as Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and others expected at the tournament in Morocco will be available for club duties deeper into the festive fixture schedule.

Clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United will still lose influential African players to the tournament.