FIFA gives clubs 15 December deadline to release players
Nineteen days to the kickoff of 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, Head Coach of the Super Eagles, Eric Chelle has released a provisional list of 55 players, among whom are star striker Victor Osimhen, captain William Ekong, midfielder Wilfred Ndidi and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
This is as the world’s football governing body, FIFA has clarified that players selected to represent their countries at the 2025 AFCON will be allowed to remain with their clubs until 15 December – just one week before the tournament begins.
Also on the provisional list, published on Tuesday, are goalkeeper Maduka Okoye, defenders Zaidu Sanusi, Calvin Bassey and Semi Ajayi, midfielders Frank Onyeka, Alex Iwobi and Raphael Onyedika, and forwards Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Simon Moses and Chidera Ejuke are also listed.
The list also has players in the domestic topflight league. These are Abdulrasheed Shehu, Ebenezer Harcourt, Ekeson Okorie, Chisom Orji and Adekunle Adeleke.
A final list of 28 players is expected to be drawn from the provisional list in a matter of days.
The Super Eagles are scheduled to arrive at a training camp in Egypt on 10 December and play a couple of friendly matches before the tournament begins on Sunday, 21 December.
Nigeria is in Group C of the tournament alongside Tanzania, Tunisia and Uganda.
The full list of invited players
Goalkeepers: Stanley Nwabali (Chippa United, South Africa); Amas Obasogie (Singida Blackstars, Tanzania); Maduka Okoya (Udinese FC, Italy); Adebayo Adeleye (Volos FC, Greece); Francis Uzoho (Omonia FC, Cyprus); Ebenezer Harcourt (Sporting Lagos);
Defenders: William Ekong (Al-Kholood, Saudi Arabia); Olaoluwa Aina (Nottingham Forest, England); Calvin Bassey (Fulham FC, England); Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (Hull City, England); Bright Osayi-Samuel (Birmingham City, England); Bruno Onyemaechi (Olympiakos, Greece); Chidozie Awaziem (Nantes FC, France); Zaidu Sanusi (FC Porto, Portugal); Igoh Ogbu (Slavia Prague, Czech Republic); Felix Agu (Werder Bremen, Germany); Ryan Alebiosu (Blackburn Rovers, England); Adekunle Adeleke (Abia Warriors);
Midfielders: Alex Iwobi (Fulham FC, England); Frank Onyeka (Brentford FC, England); Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi (New England Revolution, USA); Wilfred Ndidi (Besiktas FC, Turkey); Raphael Onyedika (Club Brugge, Belgium); Christantus Uche (Crystal Palace, England); Tochukwu Nnadi (Zulte Waregem, Belgium); Fisayo Dele-Bashiru (SS Lazio, Italy); Ebenezer Akinsanmiro (Pisa SC, Italy); Usman Muhammed (Ironi Tiberias, Israel); Peter Agba (Maccabi Haifa, Israel); Tom Dele-Bashiru (Gençlerbirligi SK, Turkey)
Forwards: Ademola Lookman (Atalanta BC, Italy); Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham FC, England); Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray FC, Turkey); Simon Moses (Paris FC, France); Chidera Ejuke (Sevilla FC, Spain); Tolu Arokodare (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Akor Adams (Sevilla FC, Spain); Olakunle Olusegun (Pari Nizhny Novgorod, Russia); Sadiq Umar (Real Sociedad, Spain); Kelechi Iheanacho (Celtic Glasgow, Scotland); Taiwo Awoniyi (Nottingham Forest, England); Victor Boniface (Werder Bremen, Germany); Paul Onuachu (Trabzonspor AS, Turkey); Terem Moffi (OGC Nice, France); Nathan Tella (Bayer Leverkusen, Germany); Cyriel Dessers (Panathinaikos FC, Greece); Abdulrasheed Shehu (Niger Tornadoes); Rafiu Durosinmi (Viktoria Plzen, Czech Republic); Ekeson Okorie (Nasarawa United); Chisom Orji (Warri Wolves); Chukwubuikem Ikwuemesi (OH Leuven, Belgium); Philip Otele (FC Basel, Switzerland); Salim Fago Lawal (NK Istra 1961 (Croatia); Emmanuel Michael (Linzer Athletik SK, Austria)
FIFA’s announcement on the release of players brought relief to many clubs across Europe and other football leagues that had been concerned about losing key players too early to national team camps. The tournament will feature 24 nations competing for the continent’s most prestigious football title.
FIFA’s updated release period provides a tighter schedule for national teams preparing for the competition, meaning coaches will have fewer days to work with full squads before the opening matches. However, the global body noted that the decision seeks to strike a balance between club commitments-especially during the busy December calendar-and national team needs ahead of the continental showpiece.
AFCON traditionally falls outside the international break calendar, often prompting disputes between clubs and national teams over player availability. In past editions, many clubs expressed concerns over losing players weeks before the tournament, particularly as Europe’s domestic campaigns reach critical stages during the winter period.
Participating teams will now adjust their training and preparation schedules to fit the shortened window, while clubs continue their campaigns with full squads for a little longer before the continent’s biggest football event gets underway in Morocco.
As many as 45 Premier League players could leave their clubs to play at the AFCON.
