Clubs will only be obliged to release players for the Africa Cup of Nations from December 15 – a week later than the standard international window – following a decision by FIFA on Wednesday ahead of the tournament in Morocco.

The African Nations Cup will run from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, leaving national teams less than a week to prepare once all players are available, in what is likely to be another logistical challenge for coaches and organisers at the continent’s flagship international competition.

FIFA said the shortened release period, the same approach used for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, was agreed after consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and other stakeholders to “reduce the impact on various parties”, without elaborating.

The 2025 window of the men’s UEFA Champions League runs until December 10.

The governing body added that national federations and clubs involved in continental tournaments over the release period are being encouraged to hold bilateral talks to agree “appropriate individual solutions” where scheduling conflicts arise.

If disputes persist, FIFA said it would act as a mediator.

Reuters

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The Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) has hosted African ambassadors accredited to Rabat for a high-level briefing on preparations for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, with officials expressing confidence that Morocco is on course to deliver one of the tournament’s best-ever editions.

The meeting, held at the Mohammed VI Football Complex, was chaired by FRMF President and head of the AFCON 2025 Local Organising Committee, Fouzi Lekjaa.

He presented a detailed update on Morocco’s readiness, stressing that the Kingdom is approaching the continental showpiece with a “global vision” inspired by the High Directives of King Mohammed VI.

The meeting in session

Lekjaa said Morocco’s planning reflects the country’s deep African identity—both through bilateral partnerships and its broader commitment to collective continental development. He added that the success of AFCON 2025 “will not only be a Moroccan achievement, but a triumph for the whole of Africa.”

Diplomats from various African nations welcomed the progress report, commending what they described as strong coordination and complementarity between Moroccan institutions involved in the project. They noted that the Kingdom’s approach provides “solid guarantees” for a successful and seamlessly organised tournament.

To further strengthen collaboration, Lekjaa announced the establishment of a dedicated communication and follow-up unit linking the Local Organising Committee with African diplomatic missions.

The new structure will streamline administrative processes and support countries with travel, accommodation, and other logistical needs for their teams.

The ambassadors also praised Morocco’s rapid transformation and upgrading of sports infrastructure, alongside the efficient mobilisation of government agencies and stakeholders.

These advances, they said, demonstrate that the country is on track to stage an “exceptional” edition of the Africa Cup of Nations and set a new benchmark for major continental sporting events.

Closing the session, Lekjaa reaffirmed that AFCON 2025 is “the competition of the entire African continent,” and pledged Morocco’s full commitment to delivering a tournament that reflects African ambitions and aligns with the Royal vision.

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FIFA has announced that the mandatory release of players for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 will officially begin on 15 December 2025, following a series of “fruitful consultations” with key stakeholders and a cooperative stance from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The decision, taken by the Bureau of the FIFA Council, reduces the release period by seven days—a move consistent with the arrangements made for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The 2025 AFCON will run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, making it the first edition of the tournament staged during the Christmas and New Year period.

FIFA said the agreement was made possible due to “the spirit of solidarity demonstrated by CAF” to ensure a balanced solution for national teams, clubs, and competition organisers during a congested global football calendar.

As part of the arrangement, FIFA also encouraged Member Associations taking part in AFCON and clubs whose players may still be engaged in continental competitions during the release window to enter bilateral discussions.

These discussions are expected to help both parties reach workable, individual agreements that minimise disruption.

However, in cases where disputes persist after such talks, FIFA will step in to mediate. The governing body said any resolution will be guided by a detailed case-by-case assessment, taking into account:

• the timing of matches in the affected competitions,
• the stage of those competitions,
• the historical and expected involvement of the player(s), and
• any other relevant sporting considerations.

The decision is expected to ease tensions between clubs and African national teams, particularly in Europe, where several domestic leagues and continental fixtures overlap with the AFCON schedule.

With preparations intensifying ahead of Morocco 2025, the new release date provides much-needed clarity as national team coaches begin final planning for Africa’s premier football competition.

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