Clubs will only be obliged to release players for the Africa Cup of Nations from December 15 – a week later than the standard international window – following a decision by FIFA on Wednesday ahead of the tournament in Morocco.

The African Nations Cup will run from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, leaving national teams less than a week to prepare once all players are available, in what is likely to be another logistical challenge for coaches and organisers at the continent’s flagship international competition.

FIFA said the shortened release period, the same approach used for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, was agreed after consultations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and other stakeholders to “reduce the impact on various parties”, without elaborating.

The 2025 window of the men’s UEFA Champions League runs until December 10.

The governing body added that national federations and clubs involved in continental tournaments over the release period are being encouraged to hold bilateral talks to agree “appropriate individual solutions” where scheduling conflicts arise.

If disputes persist, FIFA said it would act as a mediator.

Reuters

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

FIFA has announced that the mandatory release of players for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 will officially begin on 15 December 2025, following a series of “fruitful consultations” with key stakeholders and a cooperative stance from the Confederation of African Football (CAF).

The decision, taken by the Bureau of the FIFA Council, reduces the release period by seven days—a move consistent with the arrangements made for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The 2025 AFCON will run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, making it the first edition of the tournament staged during the Christmas and New Year period.

FIFA said the agreement was made possible due to “the spirit of solidarity demonstrated by CAF” to ensure a balanced solution for national teams, clubs, and competition organisers during a congested global football calendar.

As part of the arrangement, FIFA also encouraged Member Associations taking part in AFCON and clubs whose players may still be engaged in continental competitions during the release window to enter bilateral discussions.

These discussions are expected to help both parties reach workable, individual agreements that minimise disruption.

However, in cases where disputes persist after such talks, FIFA will step in to mediate. The governing body said any resolution will be guided by a detailed case-by-case assessment, taking into account:

• the timing of matches in the affected competitions,
• the stage of those competitions,
• the historical and expected involvement of the player(s), and
• any other relevant sporting considerations.

The decision is expected to ease tensions between clubs and African national teams, particularly in Europe, where several domestic leagues and continental fixtures overlap with the AFCON schedule.

With preparations intensifying ahead of Morocco 2025, the new release date provides much-needed clarity as national team coaches begin final planning for Africa’s premier football competition.

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H

Super Eagles Head Coach, Eric Chelle, has unveiled a 55-man provisional squad for the 35th Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled to hold in Morocco next month, with captain William Troost-Ekong and star striker Victor Osimhen among the headline selections.

The list, released on Monday, features a blend of established internationals, returning stars and emerging home-based talents as Chelle begins shaping a squad capable of challenging for Nigeria’s fourth continental title.

Also included are midfield anchors Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka, creative midfielder Alex Iwobi, and safe hands Stanley Nwabali, who impressed at the last AFCON in Ivory Coast. Goalkeepers Maduka Okoye, Adebayo Adeleye, and Francis Uzoho also made the cut.

The defensive roster is dominated by Europe-based regulars such as Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Zaidu Sanusi and Oluwamayowa Aina, along with standout NPFL defender Adekunle Adeleke of Abia Warriors.

In midfield, Chelle has named a mix of experience and youth, including Raphael Onyedika, Alhassan Yusuf, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Tochukwu Nnadi, and Ebenezer Akinsanmiro.

The attack is stacked with firepower as expected, with Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Moses Simon, Victor Boniface, Taiwo Awoniyi, Kelechi Iheanacho, Paul Onuachu, Terem Moffi, andChidera Ejuke among the notable inclusions. Rising domestic league forwards Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji, and Emmanuel Michael also make surprise appearances.

Chelle is expected to prune the squad down to 28 players “in a matter of days,” as preparations intensify for Nigeria’s campaign.

The Super Eagles will open camp in Egypt on Wednesday, 10 December, where they will play a series of friendly matches before heading to Morocco. The tournament kicks off on Sunday, 21 December.

Nigeria has been drawn in Group C alongside Tunisia, Tanzania, and Uganda, setting up an intriguing set of fixtures in the early rounds.

Below is the full provisional squad released for AFCON Morocco 2025:

54 PLAYERS IN PROVISIONAL LIST OF NIGERIA FOR 35^TH AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS MOROCCO 2025

Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoya (Udinese FC, Italy); Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos);

Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors);

Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel); Peter Agba (Maccabi Haifa, Israel); Tom Dele-Bashiru (Gençlerbirligi SK, Turkey)

Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic Glasgow, Scotland); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Boniface (Werder Bremen, Germany); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece); Abdulrasheed Shehu (Niger Tornadoes); Rafiu Durosinmi (Viktoria Plzen, Czech Republic); Ekeson Okorie (Nasarawa United); Chisom Orji (Warri Wolves); Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (OH Leuven, Belgium); Philip Otele (FC Basel, Switzerland); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961 (Croatia); Emmanuel Michael (Linzer Athletik SK, Austria)    

Join the Sports Village Square channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaz7mEIGk1FxU8YIXb0H