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The mandatory release date for clubs to allow all players competing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) is Monday, 15 December. That means players will be together six days prior to the start of the tournament on Sunday, 21 December. The final takes place on Sunday, 18 January, 2026. Fifa have confirmed that following conversations with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) the release period will start on the Monday before the tournament begins. A Fifa statement added: "It was also determined that Member Associations participating in the CAF Afcon 2025 and clubs released players who would be playing in continental competitions during the release period be encouraged to hold bilateral discussions in good faith to find appropriate individual solutions. " Fifa also said that they will "apply guidelines" to clubs in cases where there is a dispute, and mediate between clubs and national teams. For most clubs, that means the final time players will be eligible for selection is the weekend of 13/14 December, before immediately heading to Morocco for the tournament. However, there are a few club games scheduled on the day players are due to link up with their national squads, meaning they are now expected to miss those matches. In the Premier League, Manchester United host Bournemouth on the final day that players are due to be with their squads. Rangers also face Hibernian that day in the Scottish Premiership, while there are also matches scheduled in the Championship, La Liga, Serie A and top flights of Portuguese and Turkish football. United have three players set to feature at Afcon, forward Bryan Mbuemo (Cameroon), winger Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) and defender Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco). Bournemouth midfielder Amine Adli could also feature for Morocco alongside Mazraoui. United had previously expressed concern that players would be joining up earlier than the confirmed date, calling into question whether they would feature for the trip to Wolves on Monday, 8 December. At that time, United hoped to get an extension until at least after their home fixture against Bournemouth on 15 December. "We have the rules for when we have to release the players [but] we are trying to have the players a bit longer, " said United head coach Ruben Amorim. "It is not just in our hands. We will see. We will try to arrange something with the federations. " This article is the latest from BBC Sport's Ask Me Anything team. Send us your questions Manchester United duo Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbuemo are both expected to feature at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Ask Me Anything is a service dedicated to answering your questions. We want to reward your time by telling you things you do not know and reminding you of things you do. The team will find out everything you need to know and be able to call upon a network of contacts including our experts and pundits. We will be answering your questions from the heart of the BBC Sport newsroom, and going behind the scenes at some of the world's biggest sporting events. Our coverage will span the BBC Sport website, app, social media and You Tube accounts, plus BBC TV and radio. Which Premier League players are going to Afcon? Who is one card away from suspension in the Premier League? Haaland joins Premier League 100 club - who else is in it? How to follow the Premier League on the BBC this week A draw with a winner? The routes to northern glory at 2027 World Cup One start and 96 minutes - what has happened to Elliott? 'Only win will do in biggest Test of Bazball era' From the creator of Mood, Nicôle Lecky's scandalous new drama Does what we believe about our health affect it? A revealing look into the life of boxer Tommy Fury How George Harrison challenged himself to learn a new instrument A draw with a winner? The routes to northern glory at 2027 World Cup Success in 2025 - are the Lionesses ready for 2026? 'Only win will do in biggest Test of Bazball era' Where F1 title may be won and lost in three-way fight 'As if she won Champions League' - Kendall's special night for England Eleven and hell - the cost of Newcastle's dropped points Why Starc is so good with the pink ball - Finn Phoebe's Five - top moments from NFL week 13. Video Phoebe's Five - top moments from NFL week 13 BBC to show Sabalenka v Kyrgios in 'Battle of Sexes' 'A fearless hero for hapless England' - Robin Smith obituary What's behind snooker's 147 boom? '150th Open champion Smith needs more than a cool number plate' When F1 title has gone to a final-race three-way fight Five reasons for English positivity before Gabba Test 'Raise hell' - the fastest bowler you might not have heard of Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.