CAN 2025: dramatic turn as FIFA adjusts the calendar
CAN 2025: FIFA changes player release date (official)
CAN 2025 is kicking off in a charged atmosphere. For several weeks now, African national team coaches have been voicing their frustration over European clubsβ reluctance to release their internationals, despite the original rule setting player availability for December 8. FIFA has now granted an exemption, allowing clubs to keep their players for an extra weekβa last-minute change thatβs thrown the preparations of many teams, already in training camp, into disarray.
“In line with the same principle used for the FIFA World Cup 2022, the release period will be shortened by seven days and will begin on Monday, December 15, 2025.”
This decision reshapes the balance of power between national teams and clubs.
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βοΈ βIn line with the same principle used for the FIFA World Cup 2022,β¦ pic.twitter.com/Q3sw6SyX9r
β Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) December 3, 2025
While some of Europeβs top clubs are breathing a sigh of relief, African national teams are worried about the impact on their cohesion, organization, and ambitions just days before the big kick-off in Morocco.
