Key Takeaways:
- Athletic Bilbao has been listed by FIFA as banned from registering new players since Wednesday
- The transfer registration embargo will cover summer 2026, winter 2027, and summer 2027 windows
- FIFA has not disclosed the specific cause for the sanction at this stage
Transfer Embargo Details
FIFA has confirmed that Athletic Bilbao’s name has been added to its “List of Bans on Registering New Players”, the centralised digital resource identifying clubs currently barred from signing new additions to their squads. The sanction, which commenced from Wednesday, is set to prohibit the Basque side from registering any fresh players during the summer 2026, winter 2027, and summer 2027 transfer windows.
๐จ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐: FIFA have officially BANNED Athletic Club from registering new signings for the next THREE transfer windows.
They will not be able to make and register any transfers until January 2028 after being sanctioned for multiple regulatory violations. โ pic.twitter.com/gO1R25DtFy
— The Touchline | ๐ (@TouchlineX) February 12, 2026
| Club | Ban Start Date | Transfer Windows Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Bilbao | Wednesday 11.02.2026 | Summer 2026, Winter 2027, Summer 2027 |
FIFA’s Stance and Club Response
As outlined by world football’s governing body, the register includes clubs facing temporary prohibitions for factors such as breaches linked to financial settlements or failure to adhere to regulatory standards. While the nature of the alleged infraction has not been specified by FIFA, Spanish outlet Marca has reported that Athletic Bilbao anticipates a swift resolution. The club has attributed the ban to a procedural issue of minor significance, insisting that no serious repercussions are expected as a result of the current situation.
