2025 AFCON: FIFA’s extra week highlights rising value of African stars in Europe

FIFA’s decision to delay the release of African players for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) have opened an extra window for clubs to keep their African imports and top performers for an extral week.

African footballers have once again underlined their growing influence in European football following the new deadline, moved from December 8 to December 15.

The 24-team AFCON will run in Morocco from December 21 to January 18.

The implication is that star players such as Mohamed Salah, Bryan Mbeumo and Achraf Hakimi will stay with their clubs during a crucial period of the European season.

FIFA announced the adjustment after what it described as “fruitful consultations” with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and other stakeholders—an outcome many analysts say reflects the rising importance of African talent in elite leagues.

Despite the extra week, major clubs will still feel the pinch. Liverpool will endure a significant blow with the absence of Salah, while Manchester United will lose Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui.

Manchester City will also be without Omar Marmoush and Rayan Aït-Nouri.
The situation is even more challenging for sides like Sunderland and Wolverhampton Wanderers, who could lose seven and five players respectively at a decisive point in the Premier League calendar.

“This decision shows that African players now command enormous respect,” said football analyst Daniel Odediran. “Clubs know these players are crucial, and losing them—even for a few weeks—can shift the balance in competitions.”

French champions Paris Saint-Germain will be without Achraf Hakimi, the reigning African Player of the Year. However, some European giants, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Juventus, will not be affected, as none of their players have been called up.

In Germany, Bayern Munich’s Nicolas Jackson—on loan from Chelsea—will miss fewer matches thanks to the Bundesliga’s winter break between December 22 and January 8.

Joshua Oladapo said the revised timeline signals a broader shift in global football. “African players are no longer seen as squad fillers,” he noted.

“They are match-winners, leaders and global stars. The extra week is proof that Europe cannot simply afford to let them go early.”

With tournament favourites such as Morocco, Egypt, Algeria and Senegal preparing for AFCON, the competition is set to showcase the same players European clubs fought hard to keep for just a little longer.