Nigerian and other African internationals preparing for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will now remain with their clubs for an additional week, after FIFA confirmed that players must be released no later than December 15, alleviating concerns across European football leagues.
The updated ruling ensures that Super Eagles stars—including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, and Calvin Bassey—among others expected at the Morocco-hosted tournament, will continue to be available for club duties deeper into the busy festive fixture period.
Previously, clubs faced the prospect of losing their African players as early as December 8, a scenario that prompted complaints from several European sides concerned about squad depth during the congested December schedule.
In a statement, FIFA explained that the adjustment followed “fruitful consultations” with key stakeholders, highlighting CAF’s cooperative approach, noting that the confederation “showed a spirit of solidarity” by agreeing to push the release date back by one week. FIFA further urged national associations and clubs to engage in “good faith bilateral discussions” to manage potential friction over player availability.
The change is a significant relief for Premier League and European clubs that field large African contingents. While teams such as Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United will still lose key African internationals, the shortened absence period mitigates the impact on club performance during the busiest phase of the season.
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