FIFA recently took steps to address the concerns of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) regarding the release of African players playing for European clubs for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations. Nations.
Initially scheduled for the summer of 2025, the African Cup of Nations in Morocco will ultimately be held from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026. This change of date has raised concerns within CAF and the FRMF regarding the availability African players playing in Europe, because the competition coincides with the European championship season.
To allay these concerns, FIFA has ordered European clubs to release their African players ten days before the start of the continental cup. The move is aimed at ensuring that the players can join their national teams and participate fully in the competition.
The postponement of the African Cup to winter 2025 is linked to the new configuration of the Club World Cup, which will be held during the summer of 2025 with 32 participating teams, including Wydad Casablanca, African champion in 2022.
As a result, CAF agreed to postpone the CAN until December 21, 2025, after receiving assurance of the participation of African players playing in Europe.
The African Cup of Nations in Morocco will take place in several stadiums such as the Prince Moulay Abdellah Sports Complex in Rabat, as well as in Casablanca, Fez, Tangier, Marrakech and Agadir. These infrastructures are currently being renovated to be ready to host this major continental event.
