The Premier League faces major disruptions this winter as top African players prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Scheduled from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026, the tournament coincides with a busy period in England’s top-flight football calendar.
Clubs will lose key performers during crucial matches. Liverpool will be heavily affected, with Mohamed Salah likely missing critical fixtures against Tottenham, Arsenal, and Fulham while representing Egypt.
Major Premier League Clubs Impacted
Manchester United faces challenges without Bryan Mbeumo, Noussair Mazraoui, and Amad Diallo. Fulham will miss Nigerian stars Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze during the tournament.
Nottingham Forest prepares for absences of Ola Aina, Willy Boly, and Ibrahim Sangaré. Tottenham Hotspur will operate without midfielders Pape Matar Sarr, Yves Bissouma, and Mohammed Kudus.
Additional Premier League Absences
Aston Villa: Evann Guessand (Ivory Coast)
Brentford: Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso), Frank Onyeka (Nigeria)
Burnley: Lyle Foster (South Africa), Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia)
Crystal Palace: Christantus Uche (Nigeria)
Everton: Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal), Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)
Manchester City: Omar Marmoush (Egypt), Rayan Aït-Nouri (Algeria)
West Ham: El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo)
Wolves: Emmanuel Agbadou (Ivory Coast), Tolu Arokodare (Nigeria)
This exodus will test squad depth across the league. Managers must devise tactical solutions to maintain their campaigns during this challenging period.
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