Do clubs have to release players for national teams?
Yes. Under FIFA's rules a club must release a player called up by the national team he is eligible for, during every international window in FIFA's calendar and for major tournament finals. The club is not paid for it, the association pays travel, and a player called up cannot play for his club during the release period plus five days.
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The rule
Annexe 1 of FIFA's Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players obliges clubs to release registered players to the national team they are eligible for, when called up. Any agreement between a player and a club to the contrary is prohibited.
When it applies
- Every international window in FIFA's international match calendar, normally nine days from a Monday to the following Tuesday. From 2026 the September and October window is 16 days.
- The final competitions of the World Cup and the confederations' championships for A teams.
- Release is not compulsory outside these windows and tournaments.
Notice and return
- The association must notify the player in writing at least 15 days before the window, and the club at the same time. The club confirms within six days.
- The player must be back at his club within 24 hours of the release period ending, or 48 hours if the national team played in another confederation.
Money and insurance
The club gets no compensation. The association pays travel. The club insures the player for illness and accident during the release, and FIFA's club protection programme indemnifies clubs when a professional is injured on A international duty and temporarily totally unable to work.
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Questions people also ask
Can an injured player refuse a call-up?
He must, if the association asks, undergo a medical examination by its doctor, in his club's country if he wishes.
What if a player returns late?
At the club's request, FIFA's tribunal can shorten his next release period, and repeated breaches can bring fines or a ban on calling him up.