AfriPulse
The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, set for December 21, 2025, to January 18, 202,6 in Morocco, is poised to disrupt the Premier League’s busiest stretch of the season.
With the tournament overlapping the festive fixture schedule, some clubs could lose key players for up to six or seven league matches, plus domestic cup ties, depending on how far their national teams progress.
Current projections suggest around 47–51 Premier League players will head to AFCON, representing 24 African nations.
In this list, “most affected” refers not just to the number of departures, but also to how important those players are to their clubs and the likelihood that their national sides will reach the latter stages of the competition.
Below is a breakdown of the teams most impacted, based on confirmed call-ups and expected squad selections as of November 2025.
Sunderland Sunderland face one of the heaviest hits, with a cluster of starters and rotation players called up by some of Africa’s strongest sides. If these nations go deep into the tournament, Sunderland could be without a sizeable chunk of their core for several weeks.
Expected AFCON call-ups:
Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco)
Habib Diarra (Senegal)
Reinildo (Mozambique)
Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast)
Bertrand Traoré (Burkina Faso)
Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo)
Noah Sadiki (DR Congo)
Wolves Wolves also stand to be significantly weakened, particularly in defensive and midfield areas. With multiple players representing countries who regularly challenge in AFCON, the club’s depth will be tested throughout the festive schedule.
Expected AFCON call-ups:
Emmanuel Agbadou (Ivory Coast)
Jackson Tchatchoua (Cameroon)
Marshall Munetsi (Zimbabwe)
Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe)
Tolu Arokodare (Nigeria)
Burnley Burnley’s concern lies in the spine of their team. Losing a key forward and versatile defe n ders across the tournament could leave the club scrambling for solutions in a period where points are crucial.
Expected AFCON call-ups:
Lyle Foster (South Africa)
Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo)
Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia)
Crystal Palace Crystal Palace will be heavily represented in Morocco, particularly in midfield and wide areas. Several of these players are regular starters, meaning the club may have to rely on fringe options and youth to navigate a congested run of fixtures.
Expected AFCON call-ups:
Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal)
Chadi Riad (Morocco)
Cheick Doucouré (Mali)
Christantus Uche (Nigeria)
Nottingham Forest Nottingham Forest’s absences are fewer in number but huge in importance. The potential loss of key defensive and attacking pillars could severely impact their structure and goal threat during the AFCON window.
Expected AFCON call-ups:
Ibrahim Sangaré (Ivory Coast)
Taiwo Awoniyi (Nigeria)
Ola Aina (Nigeria)
Manchester United Manchester United’s AFCON contingent includes players who offer depth and tactical variety. While not all are guaranteed starters, their absence could be felt in rotation options, especially with United often competing on multiple fronts.
Expected AFCON call-ups:
Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)
Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)
Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham may not lose many players numerically, but the quality of those departing is significant. A key midfield presence and an attacking option heading to AFCON could affect both balance and creativity in Postecoglou’s side.
Expected AFCON call-ups:
Yves Bissouma (Mali)
Pape Mateta (Ivory Coast)
Liverpool Liverpool’s biggest concern is straightforward: the potential loss of their talismanic forward. If Egypt reach the latter stages of AFCON, Liverpool may have to negotiate several high-intensity fixtures without their primary attacking focal point.
Expected AFCON call-up:
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Manchester City For Manchester City, the impact is more about depth and tactical flexibility. Losing a versatile forward capable of operating across the front line could reduce Pep Guardiola’s options in rotation and in-game adjustments.
Expected AFCON call-up:
Omar Marmoush (Egypt)
Fulham Fulham’s AFCON absences are concentrated in defence and midfield, affecting both solidity and ball progression. With two Nigerian internationals potentially away for several weeks, the team’s structure on and off the ball could be disrupted.
Expected AFCON call-ups:
Calvin Bassey (Nigeria)
Alex Iwobi (Nigeria)
Source: BusinessElitesAfrica | Read the Full Story…
