AFCON 2025 Overlap to Hit Up to 17 Premier League Clubs This Winter

Clubs face uneven absences with release dates still unsettled, complicating December and January planning.

Overview

The tournament in Morocco runs from December 21 to January 18, overlapping a dense Premier League fixture block.
Players on duty could miss six to seven league matches plus domestic cup ties if their nations go deep.
Sunderland are projected to lose seven players, the most in the league, with Wolves facing up to five absences under new head coach Rob Edwards.
Liverpool expect to be without Mohamed Salah for Egypt, while Manchester United anticipate call-ups for Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds United are not expected to lose players to AFCON, avoiding disruption others must manage.