Premier League Clubs Brace for AFCON Disruptions Over Festive Period
The Premier League enters its busiest stage of the season during the festive period, but the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) threatens to disrupt squad availability. Hosted in Morocco from December 21 to January 18, the tournament will see clubs missing key African internationals for six league matches plus the FA Cup third round. While some teams will feel the pinch, others could capitalize on the absence of rivals.
Who Has Been Called Up for AFCON 2025?
The biggest Premier League name heading to Morocco is Mohamed Salah. However, his absence may have less impact than previous AFCON editions. The Liverpool forward, 33, hinted that last weekend’s win over Brighton could have been his final appearance for the Reds after a public disagreement with manager Arne Slot.
Salah has not started in Liverpool’s last five games, but reconciled in time to feature prominently against Brighton and received a hero’s reception at Anfield.
Other notable call-ups include:
- Omar Marmoush (Manchester City) – part of Egypt’s squad aiming for their first AFCON title since 2010.
- Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United) – leading Cameroon’s quest for a sixth continental crown.
- Senegal duo Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace) and Iliman Ndiaye (Everton).
- Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth) – highest scoring African in the Premier League this season, but remains as Ghana failed to qualify.
Clubs Most Impacted by AFCON Departures
Some teams face significant challenges due to multiple international call-ups:
Sunderland
- Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco)
- Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso)
- Reinildo (Mozambique)
- Habib Diarra (Senegal)
- Arthur Masuaku & Noah Sadiki (DR Congo)
Sunderland are unbeaten at the Stadium of Light, and a depleted squad could alter the title race, especially when they host second-placed Manchester City on January 1.
Manchester United
- Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
- Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)
- Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)
Manager Ruben Amorim faces disruptions to his attacking and defensive options just as the Red Devils find form.
Fulham
- Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria)
Losing three Nigerian internationals will challenge Fulham’s squad depth over the festive fixtures.
Clubs Least Affected
Despite AFCON 2025’s earlier schedule, six Premier League clubs will see no player departures:
- Arsenal
- Aston Villa
- Bournemouth
- Chelsea
- Leeds United
- Newcastle United
Other minimal impacts include:
- Liverpool – only Salah departs.
- Manchester City – Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri have limited Premier League starts.
- Tottenham – Yves Bissouma has yet to feature under Thomas Frank.
What This Means for the Premier League
The festive period could see:
- Title contenders losing key players, creating opportunities for rivals.
- Emerging stars stepping up in the absence of African internationals.
- Tactical adjustments as managers navigate a congested schedule.
The 2025 AFCON promises excitement both in Morocco and across the English top flight, with team depth and strategy becoming decisive factors in the Premier League’s Christmas-New Year fixtures.
FAQs
Q1: When is AFCON 2025 taking place?
- December 21, 2025 – January 18, 2026, in Morocco.
Q2: Which Premier League stars are missing due to AFCON?
- Mohamed Salah, Bryan Mbeumo, Ismaila Sarr, Iliman Ndiaye, Omar Marmoush, among others.
Q3: Which clubs are least affected by AFCON?
- Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Leeds United, Newcastle United.
Q4: How many league matches will be impacted by AFCON?
- Clubs could miss six league fixtures plus the FA Cup third round.
Q5: Will AFCON affect the title race?
- Yes. Teams losing multiple internationals could drop points, allowing rivals to capitalize during the festive period.