FIFA’s ruling on the release date of players disrupts preparations for the Cup of Nations

African countries have had to change their preparation plans after a surprise decision by FIFA to shorten the time players must take off for their national teams ahead of this month’s Africa Cup of Nations final.

With less than three weeks to go until the tournament in Morocco, which runs from December 21 to January 18, football’s world governing body announced on Wednesday that clubs will only have to release players from December 15 instead of a fortnight before the start of a continental championship, as is FIFA regulations.

Senegal has canceled its planned training camp in Tunisia, sources said, while Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and defending champions Ivory Coast must reconsider plans for preparations in Portugal and Spain.

“What is frustrating and tiring is that since the last international period we have completed preparations,” Angola’s French coach Patrice Beaumelle said.

«We wanted to start the camp in the Algarve in the south of Portugal on December 8. I have been on the road to the location for a month and a half now. We have prepared everything, worked on the content of the training and the locations for the friendly matches. Now everything is at stake.»

«We have to be in Morocco on the 18th to play on the 22nd. So we can no longer call it a training camp,» he added.

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Several planned friendly internationals in preparation for the tournament are also at risk of being cancelled.

“We initially wanted to play two friendly matches, on December 14 and 18, but we should only play one, against an opponent to be determined,” said Gabon coach Thierry Mouyouma.

The majority of the 24 countries taking part in the Cup of Nations final will bring their players from clubs in Europe, which would normally have released them after this weekend.

FIFA said the shortened release period, the same approach used for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, was agreed after consultation with the Confederation of African Football and other stakeholders to “reduce the impact on various parties”, without elaborating.

However, Mali coach Tom Saintfiet said there was a lack of respect for African football and that European clubs were given a higher priority by FIFA.

The late notice was also criticized by coaches as the dates for the Cup of Nations finals were announced in June last year, giving FIFA ample time to make a ruling.

Published on December 4, 2025