CAN 2025: FIFA changes player release date (official) | OneFootball

CAN 2025: dramatic turn as FIFA adjusts the calendar

CAN 2025: FIFA changes player release date (official)

CAN 2025 is kicking off in a charged atmosphere. For several weeks now, African national team coaches have been voicing their frustration over European clubs’ reluctance to release their internationals, despite the original rule setting player availability for December 8. FIFA has now granted an exemption, allowing clubs to keep their players for an extra week—a last-minute change that’s thrown the preparations of many teams, already in training camp, into disarray.

This decision reshapes the balance of power between national teams and clubs.

While some of Europe’s top clubs are breathing a sigh of relief, African national teams are worried about the impact on their cohesion, organization, and ambitions just days before the big kick-off in Morocco.