Women's World Cup 2023: European clubs concerned about early player call-ups

"The FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players clearly states that the mandatory release period for the final competition of a tournament commences on the 'Monday morning of the week preceding the week when the relevant final competition starts'," announced the European Club Association on 27/04/2023.

The association, which represents 245 European first division clubs in 2022-23, said it was "concerned" by the number of reports from its member clubs that several national federations were trying to call up their international players outside the mandatory release periods established via the FIFA international match calendar, in this case earlier ("in some instances as early as May") than the regulations for the Women's World Cup 2023 to be held in Australia and New Zealand allow.

"Given that the tournament kicks off on 20/07, the mandatory release period for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup therefore commences on 10/07/2023," said the ECA.

"This is not a matter of financial compensation or the absence of adequate protection and insurance, but a serious concern for player…