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Following fruitful consultations led by the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) with key stakeholders, and thanks to the spirit of solidarity demonstrated by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to reduce the impact on various parties has been reduced.
The Bureau of the Council has taken a decision in relation to the mandatory release of players for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, which will take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
In line with the same principle used for the FIFA World Cup 2022, the release period will be reduced by seven days and start on Monday, December 15, 2025.
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It was also determined that Member Associations participating in the CAF AFCON 2025 and clubs releasing players who would be playing in continental competitions during the release period should be encouraged to hold bilateral discussions in good faith to find appropriate individual solutions.
In cases where there continues to be a dispute over the release of players subsequent to such bilateral discussions, FIFA will, in mediating between both parties, apply guidelines that take into account the circumstances of each case.
This will include factors related to the timing of matches of affected competitions, the stage of these competitions, the historical and planned involvement of the players in the matches in question, as well as any other pertinent factors.
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