FIFA has confirmed that football clubs can keep AFCON-bound players until December 15, 2025.
In a circular signed by Secretary General Mattias Grafström, FIFA said that ‘‘by exceptional application of the same principle used for the FIFA World Cup 2022, the Bureau decided to reduce by seven days the mandatory release period for the CAF AFCON 2025, so that it instead starts on Monday, 15 December 2025.’’
Wednesday’s development significantly entrenches an already lopsided power dynamic, which has emboldened European clubs to keep African players from representing their countries, sometimes until the tournament has already started.
Previously, clubs were required to release players two weeks before the start of major international tournaments.
However, FIFA has decided to set this rule aside, rather urging affected African countries 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, including 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 competitions in question, as well as any other pertinent factors.’’
This year’s tournament begins on December 21, but FIFA’s circular means the continent’s best players may not be released until a week before the tournament.
Premier League clubs like Liverpool, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, and Manchester United will no longer face sanctions if they decide to keep their players until December 15, 2025.
Tournament hosts Morocco could be forced to delay their pre-tournament camp with up to 19 members of their team currently playing in Europe.
Defending champions Ivory Coast are likely to be the worst hit, with up to 23 players plying their trade in Europe.