FIFA has officially established Monday, December 15, 2025, as the mandatory release date for all players selected to compete in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). This directive requires clubs worldwide to release eligible athletes six days prior to the tournament’s commencement on December 21 in Morocco, with the championship final scheduled for January 18, 2026.
The decision follows extensive consultations between FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF), resulting in a structured release framework. FIFA’s official statement emphasized encouraging “bilateral discussions in good faith” between participating national associations and clubs, particularly for players involved in continental competitions during the release period. The global governing body also committed to applying dispute resolution guidelines and mediating between clubs and national teams when necessary.
This regulation means most players will make their final club appearances during the weekend of December 13-14 before immediately departing for international duty. However, several league matches coincide with the mandatory release date, creating scheduling conflicts. Notably, Manchester United’s Premier League fixture against Bournemouth on December 15 will be affected, with both clubs potentially missing key players.
Additional conflicts arise in the Scottish Premiership (Rangers vs. Hibernian), Championship, La Liga, Serie A, and top divisions in Portugal and Turkey. Manchester United alone anticipates releasing three players: forward Bryan Mbuemo (Cameroon), winger Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast), and defender Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco). Bournemouth’s Amine Adli is also expected to join the Moroccan squad.
Manchester United had previously expressed concerns about early player departures, specifically regarding their December 8 match against Wolves. Manager Ruben Amorim publicly acknowledged efforts to negotiate extended availability, stating, “We are trying to have the players a bit longer. It is not just in our hands. We will try to arrange something with the federations.”