FIFA has extended the deadline for African players to join their national teams for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) by one week, allowing star players to stay with their clubs until December 15.
The tournament is scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, in Morocco.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, follows “fruitful consultations” between FIFA, the Confederation of African Football (CAF), clubs, and stakeholders aimed at reducing disruption during a busy European football season.
Top players affected include Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United), and Achraf Hakimi (Paris Saint-Germain).
Clubs feared losing key players for up to five weeks, potentially missing multiple leagues matches during a critical period.
FIFA encouraged national teams and clubs to engage in “good faith bilateral discussions” to find practical solutions.
The previous rule required players to report by December 8, which would have meant even longer absences.
The move is expected to ease the burden on clubs, especially those in the English Premier League, where teams like Sunderland and Wolverhampton could lose several players simultaneously.
Meanwhile, league leaders Arsenal, Chelsea, and Leeds will remain largely unaffected.
