Liverpool and Man Utd Handed Major Boost as FIFA Delays AFCON 2025 Player Release for Salah, Mbeumo and Diallo
Premier League clubs have received a significant update after FIFA confirmed a change to the mandatory release period for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. The adjustment means players such as Mohamed Salah, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo can remain with their clubs for an additional week before joining their national teams.
FIFA delays AFCON 2025 player release, giving Liverpool, Man Utd and other clubs an extra week with Mohamed Salah, Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo.
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Liverpool and Manchester United are among the clubs expected to benefit from the revised timeline. Key players will still depart for AFCON, but the delay helps reduce the impact on squads navigating the congested December and January schedule. Salah will join Egypt and Mbeumo will join Cameroon when the tournament begins in Morocco later this month.
Premier League sides had originally been preparing for players to report for international duty no later than December 8. FIFA’s updated ruling now allows clubs across Europe to retain their African internationals until December 15, extending their availability during one of the busiest periods of the season.
A statement from FIFA outlined the basis for the decision, referencing discussions with stakeholders and collaboration with CAF. The governing body confirmed that the release period for AFCON 2025 will now begin on Monday, 15 December 2025, reducing the window by seven days. FIFA also encouraged national associations and clubs involved in continental competitions to engage in bilateral discussions to resolve scheduling matters. The organization added that it will mediate disputes by applying guidelines based on competition timing, match stages and historical player involvement.
Several Premier League teams will still face extended absences. Manchester United are preparing to lose Diallo to Ivory Coast and Noussair Mazraoui to Morocco. Sunderland are expecting to be without multiple players, including Bertrand Traore, Reinildo, Simon Adingra and Habib Diarra. Manchester City will see Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri depart, though both have featured less frequently this season.
Tottenham will be without midfielders Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma, and Wolves anticipate losing five players to the tournament. Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds United are not expected to lose players during the AFCON period. Liverpool will see Salah depart, with manager Arne Slot previously confirming the club would retain him until mid-December.
The AFCON countdown continues with less than two weeks before squads across Europe release their players. The tournament features strong contenders such as Morocco, Egypt, Algeria and Senegal. Fans in the United Kingdom will be able to watch the action live after Channel 4 secured exclusive broadcast rights. Viewers will have additional festive football options as Egypt prepare to face South Africa on December 26 at 3pm GMT.
