The upcoming two-legged playoff between OGC Nice and AS Saint-Étienne to determine the final Ligue 1 spot for the 2025-26 season has taken a dramatic twist after FIFA refused the Ligue de Football Professionnel’s (LFP) request for a derogation. The world governing body’s decision, communicated on Wednesday, means both clubs will be forced to compete without their World-Cup-bound players in the decisive matches scheduled for May 26 and 29.
The barrage was already an exceptional challenge following a congested end to the French season. Nice, who finished 16th in Ligue 1, secured their place in the playoff despite a troubled domestic campaign. Their remarkable run to the Coupe de France final—set for Friday against Lens—offered a shot at silverware but also forced the league to reschedule the playoff encounters. Originally slated for earlier dates, the matches now clash directly with FIFA’s mandatory release window for international teams preparing for the 2026 World Cup.
Saint-Étienne, meanwhile, finished third in Ligue 2 and battled through the promotion playoffs to reach this two-legged decider. For Les Verts, the stakes are immense: a return to the top flight after several seasons in the second tier hinges on overturning a solid Nice side. However, the joy of reaching this stage is now tempered by the reality that key personnel could be watching from the stands, obliged to join their national teams instead.
FIFA’s regulations are unmistakable: any player called up for the World Cup must be released by his club no later than May 25, 2026. With the first leg at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard taking place on May 26, the overlap is inescapable. The LFP urgently petitioned for an exemption, arguing the unique circumstances of the domestic playoff, but FIFA’s response was firm and final—exceptions are only granted for European club competition finals, not for national-league promotion barrages.
The consequences for Nice are particularly severe. Head coach Franck Haise will be without Tunisian international left-back Ali Abdi, already named in his country’s World Cup squad. Elie Wahi, the club’s dynamic forward, is also set to miss both matches—suspended for the first leg and subsequently taken by Côte d’Ivoire’s preliminary list. Moreover, multiple other Aiglons could be whisked away: Hicham Boudaoui (Algeria), Moïse Bombito (Canada), Mohamed Abdelmonem (Egypt), Salis Abdul Samed and Kojo Peprah Oppong (Ghana), and potentially goalkeeping duo Yéhvann Diouf and Antoine Mendy if selected by Senegal. Nice could lose up to seven regular first-team squad members at the most critical juncture of their season.
Saint-Étienne’s camp is also bracing for similar disruptions. While the club has not yet disclosed its exact list of call-ups, any player eligible and selected for the World Cup will face identical restrictions. Key contributors who have powered the club’s late-season surge might suddenly become unavailable. Coach Laurent Huard must prepare contingency plans, knowing that the lineup he fields could differ sharply from the one that secured the club’s place in the playoff.
This scheduling collision casts a harsh light on the relentless demands of the modern football calendar. Europe’s elite often navigate Champions League finals in close proximity to international tournaments, but for clubs like Nice and Saint-Étienne, the overlap is a rare and cruel twist. The Coupe de France final, a cherished occasion in French football, has inadvertently created a domino effect: the postponement of the playoff pushed it directly into FIFA’s protected release period, with no avenue for appeal.
Pundits and fans alike are debating the fairness of the situation. The playoff is designed to be a sporting meritocracy—a genuine test to decide which club deserves a place in Ligue 1. When both sides are stripped of their most influential figures, however, the contest may no longer offer a true reflection of their capabilities. The integrity of the relegation-promotion system is at stake, and some have called for FIFA to show more flexibility in future cases.
The LFP’s failed request also underscores the power imbalance between domestic leagues and the international governing body. FIFA’s unwavering commitment to the World Cup’s preparation phase, while understandable from a commercial and sporting perspective, leaves little room for compromise. French football authorities could be forced to revisit how they schedule end-of-season playoffs to avoid such conflicts in years when the World Cup encroaches on traditional league calendars.
As things stand, the matches will go ahead as rescheduled. The first leg, at Geoffroy-Guichard, will see a depleted Nice try to withstand Saint-Étienne’s pressure, while Wahi watches from the sidelines and Abdi joins his national team. For the return fixture at the Allianz Riviera, the situation could worsen if additional call-ups are confirmed. Both managers will rely on squad depth and young prospects who now have an unexpected chance to shine on a massive stage.
For the players left behind, the opportunity is immense. The absence of stars opens the door for fringe talents to become instant heroes. Whether it’s a youngster from Nice’s academy or a Saint-Étienne squad player stepping up, the narrative of the underdog may well define this tie. Yet, the shadow of what might have been—a full-strength playoff decided by the best available talent—lingers over the occasion.
Based on reporting from L'Equipe.
