London. Premier League clubs have been granted a major boost ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations after FIFA confirmed that teams may retain their players for an additional week before releasing them for international duty.
The updated guidance pushed back from the original deadline means clubs will now release AFCON-bound players on 15 December, giving managers greater flexibility during a congested winter schedule.
The change offers timely relief to clubs facing substantial disruption, not least Sunderland, who will now have seven first-team players available for the long-awaited Tyne Wear derby against Newcastle on 14 December, the first top-flight meeting between the two sides in nine years.
Manchester United also stand to benefit.
The revised deadline could allow Amad Diallo, Bryan Mbeumo and Noussair Mazraoui to feature when United host Bournemouth on 15 December, though it remains uncertain whether players may still take part in fixtures scheduled for the new release day.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will be able to call upon Mohamed Salah for their match against Brighton on 13 December, while Omar Marmoush remains available for Crystal Palace’s encounter with Manchester City the following day.
As many as 45 Premier League players are expected to depart for AFCON, which begins on 21 December in Morocco. Only four clubs Arsenal, Chelsea, Leeds and Newcastle have no representatives travelling to the tournament.
Sunderland appear the most heavily affected, with Chemesdine Talbi, Simon Adingra, Bertrand Traoré, Arthur Masuaku, Reinildo, Noah Sadiki and Habib Diarra all due to miss a crucial run of festive fixtures.
Struggling Wolves, winless and bottom of the table, may lose up to five players one more than Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest.
Manchester United were among the clubs pushing FIFA to extend the release window amid fears that players could miss up to eight matches, plus an FA Cup third-round tie, should their nations reach the final on 18 January.
There is precedent for late arrivals André Onana missed Cameroon’s opening match at AFCON 2023 after choosing to play for United against Tottenham before travelling.
The revised ruling will be warmly received across the league as clubs prepare to navigate a demanding December schedule without some of their biggest stars.
