FIFA has confirmed December 15 as the official release date for players heading to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, giving European clubs some relief after concerns about losing key talents too early in the season.
The new date allows clubs an extra week with their African internationals before they join their national teams for pre-tournament preparations. The decision comes after discussions between FIFA, CAF, and other football stakeholders to balance club schedules with national team demands.
The adjusted window is expected to help teams across major European leagues, where December fixtures often shape title races and continental qualification battles.
The 2025 AFCON, set to hold in Morocco, will bring together the continent’s top sides for one of Africa’s biggest football events.
For Nigeria, it means Super Eagles stars like Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and others will remain available for club matches deeper into the festive period.
Clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester City, and Manchester United will still lose several influential African players once the release date arrives.
