Impact of AFCON 2025 on Premier League Teams
The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 begins in Morocco, with 32 Premier League players selected for the tournament. Sunderland is the club most affected, losing six players: Bertrand Traoré, Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi, Reinildo Mandava, and Habib Diarra. These players have combined for 4,412 minutes and 61 Premier League appearances this season.
Fulham will lose Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze. If Fulham reaches the final on January 18, these players will be unavailable for at least six league games. Burnley will be without Axel Tuanzebe, Hannibal Mejbri, and Lyle Foster, representing DR Congo, Tunisia, and South Africa respectively.
Everton lose Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye for Senegal. Ndiaye is among Everton's main attacking threats, with six goal involvements and 16 chances created this season. West Ham will be without Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf; Diouf is West Ham's leading assist provider with three assists, while both players rank highly for interceptions.
Liverpool, Crystal Palace, and Brighton each lose one player: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool), Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace), and Carlos Baleba (Brighton). Manchester United lose two players: Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo. Mbeumo is United’s top league scorer this season with six goals and 17 chances created.
Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Leeds, and Newcastle will not lose any players during the AFCON window. Tottenham Hotspur benefit from Ghana’s failure to qualify, keeping Mohammed Kudus—top Spurs' assist provider with five assists this season—available for the club.
