AFCON 2025: FIFA Pushes Player Release Date To December 15, Easing Pressure On European Clubs

In a move that brings a breath of relief to clubs across Europe, FIFA has confirmed that African internationals heading to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco will now remain with their clubs until December 15 a full week later than originally scheduled.

The decision means Nigeria’s Super Eagles stars Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and others will be available deeper into their clubs’ festive fixture calendars, easing tensions that had been brewing in several top leagues.

Before the adjustment, clubs feared losing key African players as early as December 8, right in the heart of the season’s busiest stretch. Many teams, especially in the Premier League, had voiced concern over the potential disruption.

FIFA’s statement, seen by PUNCH Sports Extra, explained that the shift followed “fruitful consultations” with major stakeholders. CAF, the statement added, showed “a spirit of solidarity” by agreeing to delay the release date.

The global body also urged clubs and national federations to engage in “good faith bilateral discussions” to prevent friction over player availability.

The implications are significant:

• Premier League clubs with heavy African presence including Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Fulham, Brentford and Wolves will still lose players, but for a shorter duration.
• Liverpool will see Mohamed Salah depart,
• Manchester City will be without Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri,
• Manchester United will lose Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui.
• Fulham, meanwhile, will be hit hardest by Nigeria’s call-ups, losing Iwobi, Bassey and the red-hot Chukwueze.

Italian side Atalanta will release Lookman, who has been in blistering form, while Galatasaray will part with Osimhen. Sevilla will lose Chidera Ejuke and Akor Adams, and Club Brugge will release Raphael Onyedika.

The revised window gives clubs precious time to complete key league and cup fixtures before the tournament kicks off on December 21 and runs through January 18.

As the countdown to Morocco continues, 24 nations, including tournament heavyweights Nigeria, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria and Senegal are gearing up for what promises to be one of the fiercest AFCON editions in recent memory.

And with players earning an extra week of club action, coaches may just enjoy a touch more continuity before Africa’s biggest football showpiece begins.