FIFA Delivers Game-Changing AFCON Decision That Could Transform Liverpool and Man Utd's Season

FIFA has extended the deadline for clubs to release players for this winter's Africa Cup of Nations, allowing teams like Liverpool and Manchester United to retain their African stars for at least one additional match.

The initial schedule required all qualified players to report to their national teams by Monday, Dec. 8. However, as Liverpool boss Arne Slot confirmed this week, that date has been moved back seven days to Monday, Dec. 15.

Morocco will host the upcoming edition of AFCON. The 2022 World Cup semifinalists are also the overwhelming favorites to claim victory in a tournament that kicks off with their group stage encounter against Comoros on Sunday, Dec. 21. All 24 participating nations are assured of at least three group stage matches, which will run through the end of December.

Key AFCON Dates

For Liverpool, the postponed deadline means the title holders can count on Mohamed Salah for two additional matches—despite recent questions surrounding his role in the squad.

The Egyptian skipper would have originally been required to depart Merseyside before next Tuesday's Champions League encounter with Inter. Since the Reds have already dropped two of their opening five European matches this campaign—double their losses from the entire 2024–25 league phase—maintaining squad depth could prove vital.

Salah should also be available for the home fixture against an impressive Brighton & Hove Albion team on Dec. 13. The Seagulls have historically been favorable opponents for Liverpool's attacker, with the forward contributing 16 goals through scoring or assists in as many Premier League meetings with Brighton.

Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers are certain to encounter Liverpool without Salah—though this may not carry the same impact as in previous seasons, as West Ham recently discovered—while his participation against Leeds at Elland Road on New Year's Day remains questionable. If Egypt advances to the semifinals, thereby securing at least a third-place playoff appearance on Jan. 17, 2025, Salah could miss up to seven club fixtures.

Liverpool Winter Fixtures

Manchester United face an even greater AFCON impact. While Liverpool will only lose Salah, Ruben Amorim must manage without Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) and Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco).

This trio will now be accessible for the Wolves match on Monday, Dec. 8 thanks to the revised schedule, though it's unclear whether their countries will require them to miss United's home game against Bournemouth, which coincides exactly with the Dec. 15 deadline. Amorim may want to maximize this group's contributions before the tournament commences.

Following preparation for the continental championship with 18 straight wins, Mazraoui's host country is anticipated to cruise to the final, potentially sidelining him for up to eight matches.

Mbeumo and Amad will compete in the same group, though the top two advance to the knockout rounds, along with four of the six third-place finishers.

Man Utd Winter Fixtures