AFCON 2025: Every Premier League player at the Cup of Nations

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), hosted by Morocco, will offer a different experience for the participating teams and also for the Premier League.

Scheduled to commence on December 21, 2025, and conclude with the final on January 18, 2026, this tournament introduces an unprecedented logistical and tactical disruption to the English top flight.

Unlike previous iterations that often overlapped primarily with January fixtures, the 2025 edition cuts directly through the Premier League's festive period, traditionally the most congested and physically demanding phase of the season, comprising Boxing Day fixtures and the crucial New Year's schedule.

Although only one fixture — Manchester United vs Newcastle United — will be held on December 26 this year, matches are slated for December 27-28 and 30th before the turn of the year.

Initially scheduled for summer 2025, the new 32-team Club World Cup meant that Africa’s showpiece national team tournament was moved to December, thus disrupting several Premier League clubs.

While clubs are generally expected to release players a fortnight before the tournament begins, exceptions are often negotiated between clubs and national teams; some players join their national teams in the week leading up to their first match or even just days prior.

Here, Sports Mole outlines the Premier League players who are likely to be unavailable for a few weeks to a month, depending on their national team’s progress at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Premier League players at AFCON 2025

Arsenal

None

Aston Villa

Evan Guessand (Ivory Coast)

Having been left out of Emerse Fae's final Ivory Coast squad, a muscle injury sustained by AFCON 2023 hero Sebastien Haller has forced the Elephants to make a change, with the Aston Villa forward called up as the FC Utrecht forward's replacement.

Bournemouth

With four-time champions Ghana missing out, Antoine Semenyo will be available for the duration of the finals, though the forward's future at the turn of the year remains uncertain following revelations of a £65m release clause.

Brentford

Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso)
Frank Onyeka (Nigeria)

Brighton & Hove Albion

Carlos Baleba (Cameroon)

Burnley

Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo)
Lyle Foster (South Africa)
Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia)

Chelsea

None

Crystal Palace

Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)

Sarr was named in Senegal's squad despite sustaining an ankle injury playing for Oliver Glasner's team against Manchester United recently.

However, he should still be involved with the Lions of Teranga squad in Morocco if there are no setbacks during the finals.

Everton

Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)
Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)

Ndiaye and Gueye are expected to be vital components for Senegal in Morocco.

Fulham

Alex Iwobi (Nigeria)
Calvin Bassey (Nigeria)
Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria)

All three were named in Nigeria's 28-player list and should play decisive roles for Eric Chelle's team in Morocco.

Leeds United

None

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Salah is the biggest absence for Premier League clubs, despite his form at the start of the season leaving much to be desired and a recent explosive interview putting his future in serious doubt.

Manchester City

Omar Marmoush (Egypt)
Rayan Ait-Nouri (Algeria)

Manchester United

Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)
Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)

Arguably the second-biggest miss after Salah for Liverpool, Mbeumo's absence at Manchester United will be felt at Old Trafford.

The Cameroon international, named in the final Cameroon squad, has been the Red Devils' best performing forward this seaason.

Also missing during AFCON are Diallo and Mazraoui.

Newcastle United

None

Usually a certainty in DR Congo's squad, Yoane Wissa's injury situation has prevented him from making Sebastien Desabre's recently announced Cup of Nations squad.

Nottingham Forest

Ibrahim Sangare (Ivory Coast)
Wily Boly (Ivory Coast)

While Sangare was expected to be part of the Ivory Coast team, Boly’s place in the Elephants team was uncertain; however, both men should be involved at AFCON.

However, Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi will play no part in Morocco.

Sunderland

Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco)
Habib Diarra (Senegal)
Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique)
Bertrand Traore (Burkina Faso)
Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo)
Noah Sadiki (DR Congo)

Sunderland are by far the worst-affected Premier League side, with six players expected to leave Regis Le Bris's team during the tournament.

Despite being absent since September due to injury, Diarra has been included in Senegal's squad.

Tottenham Hotspur

Pape Sarr (Senegal)
Yves Bissouma (Mali)

While Sarr was always expected to be part of the Lions of Teranga squad, Bissouma's participation with Mali was uncertain; however, both will represent their countries in Morocco.

Like Semenyo for Bournemouth, Mohammed Kudus will be available for Spurs due to Ghana's failure to qualify.