It claimed this struck a balance between "players having sufficient rest while allowing adequate time to prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup".

Teams' preparations for the tournament had threatened to be derailed by the ECA's threat European clubs would "seek to strictly adhere to the mandatory release period" and only make their players available on July 10 - just 10 days before the scheduled start on July 20.

It claimed players being called up early provided "serious concern for player welfare" because of limited opportunities for rest between seasons.

The ECA has now announced it had reached a "consensus framework" following meetings with representatives from FIFA, clubs, National Associations, UEFA, the International Federation of Professional Footballers union, the United States' National Women's Soccer League, head coaches and medical and performance staff.

This provides for a "non-mandatory release timeframe" of June 23 to 29 for players who have concluded their season.

The July 10 release date remains in place for players from clubs who still have domestic matches, unless there is a prior agreement with the National Association.

Major women's leagues across Europe are set to finish at the end of May or start of June, with the UEFA Women's Champions League final scheduled for June 3, although a handful play their seasons during the European summer with winter serving as the off season.

Of the qualified European teams, domestic leagues in Norway, Ireland and Sweden are played over the summer.

The ECA said its timeframe should serve as a "guideline", with exact release dates to be decided on an individual basis.

FIFA has promised to ensure its Club Protection Programme, an insurance policy covering the risk of injury on national team duty, is extended to cover the period from when players are released.

ECA head of women's football Claire Bloomfield welcomed the agreement.

"This feels like a pivotal moment in the professionalisation of women’s football," she said.

"ECA has been greatly encouraged by the level of constructive dialogue and willingness to work together throughout this process.

"This collaborative spirit that is synonymous with the women’s game has been crucial in finding a way forward.

"It was obviously in everyone’s best interests to establish a solution as quickly as possible, and we believe the new framework strikes the all-important balance between players having sufficient rest while allowing adequate time to prepare for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023."

The ECA and FIFA signed a Memorandum of Understanding through to the end of 2030 in March.

Several stars, including England's Leah Williamson and Beth Mead and The Netherlands' Vivianne Miedema, are expected to miss the World Cup because of serious injuries.

The Women's World Cup is set to feature 32 teams for the first time this year, up from 24 in 2019, and last until August 20.