FIFA has officially extended the mandatory player release date for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 from December 7 to December 15, just six days before the tournament kicks off in Morocco on December 21. The decision, designed to accommodate European clubs during a packed festive schedule, has triggered widespread anger across African football.
What Changed? The New AFCON 2025 Player Release Rules
- Original FIFA rule: Players must be released by December 7, 2025
- New extended date: Players can now stay with their clubs until December 15, 2025
- AFCON 2025 start date remains December 21, 2025 in Morocco
This means African internationals such as André Onana (Manchester United), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Victor Osimhen (Napoli), and Achraf Hakimi (PSG) can play an extra round of Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Bundesliga matches before joining their national teams.
Why African Federations and Fans Are Calling It “Disrespectful”
Many African football associations had already scheduled training camps and friendly matches starting as early as December 8. The sudden change has caused:
- Cancelled or rescheduled friendlies
- Financial losses on non-refundable travel and accommodation
- Severely shortened preparation time (some teams now have less than a week with their full squad)
- Accusations that FIFA is once again prioritizing European club interests over African continental competitions
One viral tweet that summed up the mood read:
“FIFA moves AFCON release date so European clubs can keep African players longer. African teams lose money and preparation time. Same old story.”
Which Clubs Benefit the Most from the Delayed Release?
Club Key African Players Likely Retained Longer Manchester United André Onana, Amad Diallo Liverpool Mohamed Salah Napoli Victor Osimhen PSG Achraf Hakimi Bayern Munich Noussair Mazraoui, Alphonso Davies (Morocco/Canada links) Arsenal Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny
These teams can now field their stars for crucial December 13–14 weekend fixtures and midweek games before Christmas.
Ongoing FIFA vs CAF Tensions
The decision highlights the long-standing friction between FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF):
- AFCON 2025 was controversially shifted from mid-2025 to December 2025–January 2026 to avoid clashing with the expanded Club World Cup
- Repeated scheduling conflicts during European winter calendars
- Perception that African football is treated as secondary despite producing some of the world’s top talent
CAF has not yet issued an official response, but insiders suggest strong behind-the-scenes protests are underway.
Final Thoughts
While European giants breathe a sigh of relief, the delayed player release has reignited debates about fairness, respect, and financial equity in global football. For African nations dreaming of AFCON 2025 glory in Morocco, the road just got significantly harder.
Will this controversy overshadow the tournament itself? Many fans fear it already has.
Stay tuned for updates as national teams confirm their revised preparations and CAF’s official stance.