FIFA Moves AFCON Release Date to December 15 for All Players

FIFA has officially announced December 15, 2025 as the mandatory release date for players participating in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), providing a major relief for clubs across Europe.

The confirmation documented in a statement received by PUNCH Sports Extra means African stars will remain with their teams for an additional week during the congested festive fixtures.

The new date represents a significant shift from the earlier plan that would have seen African players leave their clubs as early as December 8. That initial timeline drew strong pushback from several European teams concerned about losing key players for up to eight crucial league matches.

According to FIFA, the adjustment followed “fruitful consultations” with stakeholders, adding that CAF demonstrated “a spirit of solidarity” by agreeing to the revised release period. The governing body further encouraged national federations and clubs to engage in “good faith bilateral discussions” to minimize disputes around player availability.

The new release window means that Super Eagles stars including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and others will be available for club duties deeper into the December schedule before heading to Morocco for AFCON.

This comes as welcome news to clubs like Fulham, Brentford, Atalanta, Galatasaray, and Premier League giants who rely on African players during the pivotal holiday period.

Top clubs such as Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Fulham, Brentford, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Atalanta all of which would have been heavily affected still face player shortages during the tournament, but the reduced absence is seen as a timely compromise.

Liverpool will eventually release Mohamed Salah, Manchester City will part with Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri, while Manchester United will release Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui.

Meanwhile, Fulham will lose Iwobi, Bassey, and in-form winger Chukwueze, with Brentford also without Frank Onyeka.

Wolves will release striker Tolu Arokodare, while Atalanta will let go of their influential attacker Ademola Lookman, who is currently one of their standout performers.

The Nigeria Football Federation will also call up Galatasaray forward Victor Osimhen, Sevilla duo Chidera Ejuke and Akor Adams, and Club Brugge midfielder Raphael Onyedika. All will report no later than December 15 to begin AFCON preparations.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled from December 21 to January 18, will feature 24 countries including heavyweights Nigeria, Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, and Senegal. The adjusted release date ensures coaches enjoy more continuity in squad preparations while clubs retain key talents for end-of-year fixtures.

The competition in Morocco is widely expected to be one of the most tightly contested editions in recent years, given the quality of players spread across European leagues.