The 2025/26 Premier League season is already delivering tension at both ends of the table. Arsenal are pushing to finally reclaim domestic glory, Manchester United are showing real signs of life under Ruben Amorim, and the title race is beginning to take shape.
However, as the festive period approaches, managers face a familiar disruption — the return of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
This time hosted in Morocco, AFCON 2025 will once again take place in the heart of the English season, pulling away some of the Premier League’s most influential players at a critical stage of the campaign.
From Mohamed Salah to Bryan Mbeumo, several key figures will be unavailable, forcing clubs to test their squad depth during one of the busiest months of the season.
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AFCON 2025: Key Dates Explained
Just like previous editions, AFCON will clash with domestic football in England.
Tournament Schedule:
Group Stage: December 21 – December 31
Round of 16: January 3 – January 6
Quarter-finals: January 9 – January 10
Semi-finals: January 14
Third-place playoff & Final: January 17 – January 18
Depending on how far their nations progress, some players could miss up to a month of Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and European fixtures.
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Premier League Clubs Affected by AFCON 2025
Below is a club-by-club breakdown of who will — and won’t — be missing.
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Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s side have built a squad with excellent balance and depth, and they receive a huge boost here — no Arsenal player will be involved at AFCON.
AFCON Absentees: None
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Aston Villa
After a slow start, Unai Emery’s team have surged into the title conversation. Villa will also remain untouched by AFCON, with no players named in final squads.
AFCON Absentees: None
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Bournemouth
Andoni Iraola’s exciting Bournemouth side won’t be disrupted either. Ghana failed to qualify, ruling out Antoine Semenyo, while other eligible players were not selected.
AFCON Absentees: None
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Brentford
Keith Andrews will be forced into adjustments, with two midfield options heading to AFCON.
AFCON Absentees:
Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso)
Frank Onyeka (Nigeria)
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Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton are no strangers to mid-season international disruptions. This time, they will lose one of their most important players.
AFCON Absentees:
Carlos Baleba (Cameroon)
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Burnley
Scott Parker faces a tough task as Burnley fight for survival. AFCON will remove multiple first-team options.
AFCON Absentees:
Lyle Foster (South Africa)
Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo)
Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia)
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Chelsea
Despite their enormous squad size, Chelsea will retain every player during AFCON — a rare advantage during the festive schedule.
AFCON Absentees: None
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Crystal Palace
Oliver Glasner avoids major damage, losing just one key attacker.
AFCON Absentees:
Ismaila Sarr (Senegal)
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Everton
David Moyes’ revitalised Everton side will miss two crucial Senegal internationals, including one of their most dangerous attackers.
AFCON Absentees:
Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)
Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)
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Fulham
Marco Silva will be hit hard, with three Nigerian internationals leaving at once.
AFCON Absentees:
Alex Iwobi (Nigeria)
Calvin Bassey (Nigeria)
Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria)
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Leeds United
Daniel Farke enjoys a clean slate — no Leeds players will depart for AFCON.
AFCON Absentees: None
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Liverpool
Liverpool’s biggest concern is obvious. Mohamed Salah will represent Egypt, and with the Pharaohs among the favourites, his absence could be lengthy.
AFCON Absentees:
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
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Manchester United
Ruben Amorim’s momentum will be tested as several attackers and defenders head off to international duty.
AFCON Absentees:
Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)
Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)
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Manchester City
Pep Guardiola will lose two versatile players during a period that could define City’s season.
AFCON Absentees:
Omar Marmoush (Egypt)
Rayan Aït-Nouri (Algeria)
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Newcastle United
Eddie Howe catches a break, with no players selected due to fitness and squad decisions.
AFCON Absentees: None
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Nottingham Forest
Forest will be without two Ivorian internationals, although one has barely featured this season.
AFCON Absentees:
Wily Boly (Ivory Coast)
Ibrahim Sangaré (Ivory Coast)
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Sunderland
No club will be hit harder. Sunderland are set to lose six first-team players, making AFCON a huge test of squad depth.
AFCON Absentees:
Noah Sadiki (DR Congo)
Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo)
Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco)
Reinildo (Mozambique)
Habib Diarra (Senegal)
Bertrand Traoré (Burkina Faso)
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Tottenham Hotspur
Thomas Frank must cope without his entire midfield engine room.
AFCON Absentees:
Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal)
Yves Bissouma (Mali)
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West Ham United
Both full-back positions will be affected, leaving Nuno Espírito Santo with tactical headaches.
AFCON Absentees:
El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal)
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo)
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Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolves lose two squad players, though avoided a worse scenario thanks to several non-call-ups.
AFCON Absentees:
Emmanuel Agbadou (Ivory Coast)
Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe)
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Final Thoughts
AFCON 2025 could quietly shape the Premier League title race, European qualification battle, and relegation fight. Clubs with strong depth may thrive — while others could unravel during a brutal run of fixtures.
One thing is certain: December and January are about to get very interesting. 
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