FIFA has announced a reduced player release period for the 2025 African Cup of Nations, aiming to lessen the impact on professional clubs and national teams.
Clubs must release players selected for the tournament by December 15. The competition will take place in Morocco from December 21 to January 18.
This decision shortens the player release window by seven days, mirroring the approach used for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The global football body stated its intention is to minimize disruption to both clubs and national squads.
FIFA also encouraged national federations involved in CAN 2025 and clubs with selected players to engage in good-faith discussions to find the best solutions for each situation.
In cases where conflicts of interest arise, FIFA reserves the right to make final decisions. These decisions will consider factors such as match calendars, the timing of the competition, and individual player international appearances.