Overview
- The tournament runs December 21 to January 18 with all matches in Morocco and the final scheduled in Rabat.
- After a proposed extension to release timing failed to produce agreements, FIFA rejected AS Roma’s bid to keep Morocco’s Neil El Aynaoui for a league fixture, reinforcing national‑team priority.
- Italian clubs have 21 registered players called up across Serie A, B and C, with absences potentially lasting about a month for those reaching the final.
- Como’s Assane Diao suffered a muscle injury against Roma that casts doubt on his Senegal selection and has drawn protests directed at coach Cesc Fàbregas.
- In Italy the tournament will air exclusively free‑to‑air on Sportitalia, which has rights for this edition and the next.