According to FIFA, the players' release for participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations will begin a week later than usual — on December 15. The tournament itself will take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
The late start of the release creates challenges for national teams, as they will have less than seven days to form the squad, assess the physical condition of players, and conduct final tactical preparations. This FIFA decision is based on a similar approach used during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and coincides with the conclusion of the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, which will end on December 10.
FIFA urges football associations and clubs to address potential scheduling issues independently but is also ready to intervene in case of disputes. The limited preparation time will be a real test for coaches, affect the composition of the national teams, and create logistical difficulties for teams preparing for this important African tournament.
