FIFA ruling on players' release date upsets Cup of Nations preparations
Democratic Republic of Congo's Chancel Mbemba celebrates after scoring the winning penalty in the penalty shootout. Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup - CAF Qualifiers - Playoffs - Final - Nigeria v Democratic Republic of Congo - Prince Moulay Hassan Stadium, Rabat, Morocco - November 16, 2025
African countries were left scrambling to change their preparation plans after a surprise FIFA decision to cut down the time players must be released to their national teams ahead of this month's Africa Cup of Nations finals.
With less than three weeks to the tournament in Morocco, which runs from December 21 to January 18, soccer's world governing body announced on Wednesday that clubs need only release players from December 15, instead of a fortnight before the start of a continental championship, as is the FIFA regulation.
