The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations interrupts the Premier League at a crucial stage of the season, with 17 clubs preparing to lose players to the tournament in Morocco.
Afcon runs from 21 December to 18 January, and several footballers could miss up to seven league fixtures along with FA Cup and Carabao Cup ties, depending on how far their nations progress.
The release date for players remains unclear because national associations and clubs continue to finalise arrangements.
Teams that exit the competition in the group stage, which concludes on 31 December, could welcome their players back much earlier.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds stand out as the only Premier League teams unaffected by Afcon call-ups. Sunderland and Wolves face the most disruption, while other clubs lose only one or two players.
Aston Villa (1)
Aston Villa lose Ivory Coast forward Evann Guessand, who has started five league matches this season. The club trust their depth to cover his absence.
Bournemouth (1)
Bournemouth prepare to release Morocco midfielder Amine Adli, who has started once in the league. Antoine Semenyo remains available after Ghana failed to qualify.
Brentford (2)
Brentford send Burkina Faso forward Dango Ouattara and Nigeria midfielder Frank Onyeka to the tournament. Ouattara remains a regular, while Onyeka has played limited minutes.
Brighton (1)
Brighton must cope without Cameroon midfielder Carlos Baleba, who has featured consistently. Yankuba Minteh stays with the club after Gambia missed qualification.
Burnley (3)
Burnley lose Axel Tuanzebe to DR Congo, Lyle Foster to South Africa and Hannibal Mejbri to Tunisia.
Crystal Palace (1–4)
Crystal Palace feel the absence of Senegal winger Ismaila Sarr most. Christantus Uche, Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure could also leave, depending on fitness and selection. Any call-ups rule them out of the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal.
Everton (2–3)
Everton release Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye to Senegal. Adam Aznou could join Morocco, though he has not featured since joining.
Fulham (3)
Fulham allow three Nigeria internationals to travel: Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey and Samuel Chukwueze.
Liverpool (1)
Liverpool lose Mohamed Salah, who joins Egypt for another major tournament.
Manchester City (2)
Manchester City release Omar Marmoush to Egypt and Rayan Aït-Nouri to Algeria. Both have struggled for consistent playing time due to injury spells.
Manchester United (3)
Manchester United’s right side shifts significantly as Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon), Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast) and Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) depart.
Newcastle (0–1)
Newcastle may lose Yoane Wissa to DR Congo, although he has yet to play for the club and remains uncertain for selection.
Nottingham Forest (1–4)
Nottingham Forest guarantee Ibrahim Sangaré’s departure to Ivory Coast. Willy Boly, Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi remain uncertain because of injuries and recent squad omissions.
Sunderland (7)
Sunderland face the heaviest losses, with Chemsdine Talbi, Habib Diarra, Reinildo, Simon Adingra, Bertrand Traoré, Arthur Masuaku and Noah Sadiki all set to travel. Most of them hold key roles in the team.
Tottenham Hotspur (1–2)
Tottenham prepare to lose Pape Matar Sarr to Senegal and Yves Bissouma to Mali. Bissouma continues his recovery from ankle surgery.
West Ham (2)
West Ham expect right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka to join DR Congo and left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf to link up with Senegal.
Wolves (5)
Wolves face a significant challenge as Marshall Munetsi, Tawanda Chirewa, Emmanuel Agbadou, Tolu Arokodare and Jackson Tchatchoua depart. Chirewa has not featured, but the others play important roles.
Premier League managers now plan for a demanding festive period as Afcon reshapes squads across the division.
