AFCON 2025 kicks off today in Morocco, and the Premier League is set to feel the impact. Here's the full breakdown of which clubs are losing key players and who escapes unscathed.
The Numbers
33 Premier League players have been called up for the tournament running from December 21 to January 18. Clubs released eligible players from Monday December 15 in line with FIFA regulations.
Most Affected: Sunderland (6 players)
The Black Cats are hit hardest. Losing nearly a fifth of all Premier League players at the tournament:
- Noah Sadiki (DR Congo) - Has missed just 26 minutes all season
- Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique)
- Bertrand Traoré (Burkina Faso)
- Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo)
- Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco)
- Habib Diarra (Senegal)
Combined minutes lost: 4,412 - highest in the league.
Manchester United (3 players)
Three key departures for Amorim:
- Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon) - Summer signing from Brentford
- Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) - Key creative outlet
- Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) - Expected deep run
United could miss all three for 6+ Premier League games if their nations progress.
Fulham (3 players)
- Alex Iwobi (Nigeria) - Leading chance creator (23)
- Calvin Bassey (Nigeria) - Played all 16 matches
- Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria) - 5 goal involvements in last 5 games
Burnley (3 players)
- Lyle Foster (South Africa)
- Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo)
- Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia)
Other Notable Departures
Liverpool: Mohamed Salah (Egypt) - Huge loss but Reds have easiest fixture schedule during AFCON.
Everton: Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye (both Senegal)
Brighton: Carlos Baleba (Cameroon) - Played all 16 matches, most interceptions at club since last season (61)
Tottenham: Yves Bissouma and Pape Matar Sarr (both out)
The Lucky Six
Six clubs lose ZERO players to AFCON:
- Arsenal
- Aston Villa
- Bournemouth (Ghana didn't qualify - Semenyo stays)
- Chelsea
- Leeds United
- Newcastle United
Title contenders Arsenal and Villa benefit significantly. Bournemouth keep Antoine Semenyo after Ghana's shock failure to qualify.
Key Dates
Group stage ends: December 31
Round of 16: January 3-6
Final: January 18
Early exits could see players return by Gameweek 19. Nations reaching the final won't release players until after Gameweek 21.
