FIFA Sets December 15 as Official Player Release Date for AFCON 2025

FIFA has officially confirmed that clubs must release players called up for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on December 15, 2025. 

This adjustment comes after consultations involving FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), and key stakeholders, who agreed to shorten the usual two-week release window by one week — following a similar approach previously used during the 2022 World Cup. 

Under the revised schedule, national teams will have a compact preparation period of just six days before AFCON begins on December 21, 2025. 

European clubs and other domestic teams have welcomed the decision, as it allows them to retain key African players for additional fixtures during a particularly congested club calendar. 

However, the reduced release window presents a challenge for some national teams — especially those planning overseas training camps or friendly matches — forcing them to revise their schedules and in some cases abandon planned pre-tournament preparations.