Which Premier League Teams Will Be Hit Hardest by AFCON 2025?

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off earlier than usual, with as many as 17 Premier League clubs expected to lose players to the month-long tournament in Morocco.

AFCON runs from 21 December to 18 January, and clubs could be without key personnel for up to seven league matches—plus FA Cup and Carabao Cup fixtures—depending on how far their players progress.

While Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds have no expected call-ups, Sunderland and Wolves face the heaviest disruption. Players eliminated in the group stage, which ends on 31 December, may miss fewer games.

Below is a team-by-team breakdown of projected absences:

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Aston Villa (1)

Only one player is expected to feature: Ivory Coast forward Evann Guessand, who has made just five league starts.

Bournemouth (1)

Morocco midfielder Amine Adli is set to depart, though he has featured sparingly. Star forward Antoine Semenyo is unaffected as Ghana did not qualify.

Brentford (2)

Burkina Faso’s Dango Ouattara and Nigeria’s Frank Onyeka will be away, though Onyeka has barely featured in the league.

Brighton (1)

A significant loss for Albion as Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba departs.

Burnley (3)

Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo), Lyle Foster (South Africa) and Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia) are all expected to travel.

Crystal Palace (1–4)

Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr is the major absence. Christantus Uche (Nigeria), Chadi Riad (Morocco) and Cheick Doucoure (Mali) are uncertain due to injury or squad status. Any departures will rule them out of Palace’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal.

Everton (2–3)

Senegal duo Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye—both starters—will leave. Adam Aznou (Morocco) is a possibility.

Fulham (3)

Nigeria will take Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze.

Liverpool (1)

Only one departure, but a big one: Mohamed Salah will lead Egypt’s squad.

Manchester City (2)

Omar Marmoush (Egypt) and Rayan Aït-Nouri (Algeria) are expected to go, though both have been restricted by injuries this season.

Manchester United (3)

United’s right flank will be reshuffled as Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) and Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) travel.

Newcastle (0–1)

Yoane Wissa (DR Congo) is a potential call-up but has yet to play for the club. His participation is still unclear.

Nottingham Forest (1–4)

Ivory Coast’s Ibrahim Sangare is a confirmed departure. Willy Boly (Ivory Coast), Ola Aina (Nigeria) and Taiwo Awoniyi (Nigeria) remain doubtful due to injuries or lack of recent call-ups.

Sunderland (7)

The worst-hit side, losing seven players including Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco), Habib Diarra (Senegal), Reinildo (Mozambique), Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast), Bertrand Traoré (Burkina Faso), Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo) and Noah Sadiki (DR Congo).

Tottenham Hotspur (1–2)

Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal) and Yves Bissouma (Mali) may depart. Bissouma has yet to play this season following ankle surgery.

West Ham (2)

Both starting full-backs will leave: Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo) and El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal).

Wolves (5)

Five departures deepen their struggles: Marshall Munetsi and Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe), Emmanuel Agbadou (Ivory Coast), Tolu Arokodare (Nigeria) and Jackson Tchatchoua (Cameroon).

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With several clubs set to lose influential players during a congested festive schedule, the AFCON window could reshape the Premier League landscape as the title race and relegation battles intensify.