November 27, (THEWILL) — FIFA has established a firm December 8 deadline requiring all clubs to release players selected for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament will take place in Morocco between December 21 and January 18, 2026.
The regulation aims to provide national squads with adequate preparation time before the competition begins. Clubs must comply with the international football body’s directive, ensuring that African players can join their respective national teams well ahead of the opening fixtures.
Morocco will host the continental championship, with 24 nations divided into six groups of four teams. The opening group features host nation Morocco alongside Mali, Zambia and Comoros. Group B contains Egypt, South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe, whilst Group C brings together Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda and Tanzania.
Group D includes Senegal, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Benin and Botswana. Algeria, Burkina Faso, Equatorial Guinea and Sudan form Group E. The final grouping pairs reigning champions, the Ivory Coast, with Cameroon, Gabon and Mozambique.
The mandatory release date gives national team managers nearly two weeks to work with their full squads before the tournament commences. This preparation window is considered essential for tactical organisation and team cohesion ahead of Africa’s premier international football competition.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
