AFCON 2025: African anger as FIFA sets unprecedented rule-breaking concession to European clubs in release-date dispute

Several African countries are seething with anger as FIFA has broken its own rules by allowing European clubs to release African players only seven days before AFCON, even though FIFA regulations require a mandatory 14-day release period.

FIFA has cut in half the mandatory release period for African players ahead of the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, in what many African federations see as a major concession to European clubs — and a direct contradiction of FIFA’s own regulations.

Under existing FIFA law, clubs must release players 14 days before the start of any major international tournament.

Yet after weeks of pressure from the European Club Association (ECA), UEFA and several national leagues, FIFA has told Africans FAs that it has reduced that period to just seven days before the AFCON begins on 21 December.

No other confederation has ever been asked to make such a sacrifice which has sparked fresh accusations of FIFA’s colonisation of African football under the leadership of Patrice Motsepe.

A conflict that returns every two years

The release-date battle has become a familiar storyline around the AFCON. Every edition triggers a stand-off between African federations and Europe’s biggest clubs, who fear losing their best players during a congested period of their domestic season.

Liverpool, Manchester City, Napoli, Bayern Munich and others face losing key names at a moment when the Premier League enters its Boxing Day schedule, Serie A approaches the winter break, and European competitions resume shortly after.

This year’s dispute, however, goes further. For the first time, FIFA is preparing to override its own mandatory release period, raising questions among African associations about fairness, governance and precedent.

African teams left scrambling as FIFA shifts the goalposts

National teams were initially informed that their players would join camp from 8 December, as required under the 14-day rule. Many federations booked training camps, flights, hotels and friendly matches around that date.

FIFA’s last-minute decision to move the release to 15 December risks disrupting preparations and creating financial losses that are unlikely to be reimbursed.

Some federations have privately described the situation as “chaotic”, while coaches fear that losing a full week of training will damage their tournament readiness.

African officials argue that such treatment would be unthinkable for Europe or South America — and that no confederation other than Africa has ever been asked to adjust its calendar to satisfy European clubs.

CAF caught between a governing body and a powerful club lobby

CAF has long defended the December–January window, citing climate, commercial contracts and the availability of host nations. But the clash with European leagues has been constant and the latest decision by FIFA has been widely seen as a meek surrender by the Motsepe-led CAF.

Clubs argue that losing players for four to six weeks during the busiest phase of their season is unsustainable, especially when injuries occur during the AFCON — rehabilitation costs fall entirely on the clubs.

Coaches in Europe have repeatedly voiced frustration, while executives have demanded stronger insurance packages and higher compensation.

CAF, for its part, has not offered financial coverage and scheduling proposals that the clubs would deem insufficient. But African stakeholders insist that pressure from Europe has now reached a point where FIFA’s decisions appear unbalanced.

A decision with global implications

FIFA’s expected announcement — widely anticipated today — will likely confirm the seven-day release window for AFCON 2025. African federations warn that the move risks setting a dangerous precedent: if rules can be rewritten for European clubs once, they could be rewritten again.

The dispute raises broader questions about football governance:

Who ultimately decides how and when Africa’s biggest tournament is played?

And why is only Africa being asked to compromise?

As AFCON 2025 approaches, the political tension off the pitch is beginning to rival the competition on it.

With less than three weeks to go, African sides now face a more urgent challenge — preparing for the continent’s biggest tournament with one week less than the rules guarantee them.