It’s likely that a group of approximately 40 players will leave soon after the final whistle blows on Boxing Day and some players may not fly back until the second week of February. By which time up to eight games (six Premier League and two FA Cup) could have been missed, depending on how well their nations do.
FIFA rules state “players must be released and start travel to their representative team no later than Monday morning the week preceding the week when the relevant final competition starts.” The Confederation of African Football (CAF) says they are following this guidance. “The process and relationship (between clubs, FAs and players) is governed by this,” a CAF spokesperson told The Athletic. Hosts Cameroon kick off the tournament against Burkina Faso on Sunday, January 9, meaning Monday December 27 — 13 days previous — is, by that rationale, the date players will be required to leave their clubs.