The 2025/26 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off on December 21st, and a host of Premier League players are preparing to depart for winter international duty.

Running until January 18th, 2026, the tournament could force clubs to cope without key squad members for as many as six league matches, depending on their nation’s progression.

FIFA has confirmed that clubs may keep players until December 15th before releasing them to their national teams.

Arsenal – 0 players

Arsenal are unaffected, with no first-team players representing African nations.

Aston Villa – 1 player

• Evann Guessand (Ivory Coast) – Expected to link up with the defending AFCON champions.

Bournemouth – 1 player

• Amine Adli (Morocco) – The winger is set for a call-up with the host nation.
• Antoine Semenyo remains available after Ghana failed to qualify.

Brentford – 2 players

• Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso)
• Frank Onyeka (Nigeria) – Included in Nigeria’s preliminary squad.

Brighton – 1 player

• Carlos Baleba (Cameroon) – Despite a difficult season, he remains part of the squad.
• Yankuba Minteh stays behind after Gambia missed qualification.

Chelsea – 0 players

No Chelsea first-team players will be heading to AFCON.

Crystal Palace – 4 players

Injuries could influence Palace’s involvement:

• Chadi Riad (Morocco)
• Cheick Doucouré (Mali) – Yet to play this season.
• Ismaila Sarr (Senegal) – Recently injured vs Manchester United.
• Christantus Uche (Nigeria) – In Nigeria’s provisional squad.

Everton – 3 players

• Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)
• Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)
• Adam Aznou (Morocco) – A potential call-up for the hosts.

Fulham – 3 players

A trio of Nigerians have been named in the preliminary squad:

• Alex Iwobi
• Calvin Bassey
• Samuel Chukwueze

Leeds – 0 players

No Leeds players will be involved.

Liverpool – 1 player

• Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – As expected, he joins the Pharaohs.

Manchester City – 1 player

• Omar Marmoush (Egypt) – Confirmed for the tournament.

Manchester United – 3 players

• Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)
• Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
• Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) – All expected to receive call-ups.

Newcastle United – 0 players

Yoane Wissa is normally a DR Congo regular, but he was not selected due to ongoing injury issues.

Nottingham Forest – 4 players

• Taiwo Awoniyi (Nigeria) – Named in the provisional squad.
• Ola Aina (Nigeria) – Included but likely out until January with injury.
• Ibrahim Sangaré (Ivory Coast)
• Willy Boly (Ivory Coast)

Sunderland – 7 players

Sunderland will be the most heavily affected Premier League side:

• Noah Sadiki (DR Congo)
• Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo)
• Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco)
• Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique)
• Bertrand Traoré (Burkina Faso)
• Simon Adingra (Ivory Coast)
• Habib Diarra (Senegal) – Expected to join up if he recovers from a long-term groin injury.

Tottenham Hotspur – 2 players

• Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal) – Expected to be selected.
• Yves Bissouma (Mali) – Call-up uncertain due to limited recent involvement.

Mohammed Kudus remains with Spurs as Ghana didn’t qualify.

West Ham United – 2 players

• Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo) – Newly called up.
• El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal) – Likely to be selected.

Wolves – 4 players

With the club struggling at the bottom of the table, four players could depart:

• Marshall Munetsi (Zimbabwe)
• Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe)
• Emmanuel Agbadou (Ivory Coast)
• Tolu Arokodare (Nigeria) – Named in Nigeria’s preliminary squad.

Jackson Tchatchoua (Cameroon) was not selected.

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