AFCON 2025: Players to join national teams from December 8

FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF) announced that international players will be able to join their national teams from December 8 for the 2025 African Cup of Nations, which is due to take place in Morocco.

AFCON 2025 kicks off on the 18th of December.

The debate between African national football federations and top European league clubs often dominates discussions during the pre-AFCON period.

The decision to release players for AFCON is usually not welcomed by some European clubs. Now, players who will take part in the biggest African football competition will be joining their respective national sides starting from December 8.

The final squad submission date is set for December 11 by CAF. Some European clubs often opt to release players late, but with the new development, this will require consensus with African FAs. Manchester United reportedly hoped to push to keep Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui, but this is unlikely to happen.

The official player release date will coincide with the end of matchday 15 in the English Premier League and French Ligue 1, matchday 14 in Serie A, and matchday 13 in the German Bundesliga.