The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, scheduled to take place in Morocco from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, is already putting considerable pressure on European clubs, and particularly on those in Ligue 1. In accordance with international regulations, selected players must be released no later than December 8, 2025 to join their national team.

However, a new FIFA regulation, which allows clubs to retain their players until January 15, 2026, complicates the situation and creates an area of tension between clubs and African national teams.

Despite these tensions, more than fifty players will indeed leave Ligue 1 to participate in the continental tournament. A real headache for several French teams, especially those already struggling in the standings.

French Ligue 1, with its wealth of African internationals, will be one of the leagues most affected. Around fifty players could be called up for the Africa Cup of Nations, a significant loss during the crucial preparation period for the second half of the season.

In Nice, for example, coach Frank Haise could be without several key players: Yehvann Diouf and Antoine Mendy (Senegal), Hicham Boudaoui (Algeria), Terem Moffi (Nigeria), Jérémie Boga (Ivory Coast), Ali Abdi (Tunisia).

A similar scenario is emerging in other elite clubs, forced to review their organization in several key positions such as goalkeepers, defenders, creative midfielders or strikers.

Even if the French Ligue 1 observes a break during this period, the consequences will be very real: disrupted winter preparation, absence of technical leaders, late returns after the AFCON, increased risks of fatigue or injury.

In a championship where every point counts, teams will have to juggle caution, tactical adjustments and intelligent management of their squad.

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is shaping up to be a major challenge not only for African national teams, but also for French clubs, who will need to demonstrate creativity and resilience.