The Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) has officially approved a new release window for players called up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, granting clubs the right to free their stars no later than December 15.
The updated directive offers significant relief to European teams, many of which were preparing to lose key players earlier than anticipated for the continental championship.
Before this development, participating clubs were mandated to release invited players at least two weeks prior to the commencement of the tournament. However, following extensive consultations involving FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and other major football stakeholders, all parties agreed to shift the release date one week later.
While this adjustment benefits clubs, it could disrupt the preparations of several national teams that had lined up pre-AFCON international friendlies. One of the most affected fixtures may be the highly anticipated Nigeria vs. Egypt warm-up match scheduled for Sunday, December 14, which is now uncertain given the revised release timeline.
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will be hosted by Morocco, running from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The tournament, expected to pull global attention, will feature intense competition as African nations continue their push toward continental glory.
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