Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Mon 15 December 2025 7:00, UK

Premier League clubs will release players participating in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) to their respective national camps on Monday.

Fulham beat Burnley 3-2 on Saturday, but are expected to be among the worst-affected teams over the next month.

Hosted by Morocco, the tournament’s group stage will take place from December 21 with the final set to take place on January 18.

Mohamed Salah waved goodbye to the Liverpool fans after Saturday’s win over Brighton, with the winger set to join up Egypt.

After his bombshell comments last week, Salah could have played his last game for Liverpool amid growing interest in a January move.

Here, Football Insider tells you all you need to know about how AFCON will affect Premier League clubs over the next month.

Liverpool – Mohamed Salah

Salah was superb against Brighton on Saturday, providing an assist for Hugo Ekitike‘s second goal and having a couple of chances to get on the scoresheet himself.

The Egyptian has endured a difficult season, but gave the Reds a reminder of the quality that they will be without for at least the next few weeks.

Salah was the Premier League’s star last season, scoring 34 goals across all competitions for Arne Slot‘s side.

And for all of his struggles this season, the winger still remains among the Reds’ most productive players.

Fulham – Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi

Fulham will undoubtedly be hit hard by AFCON. Marco Silva has lost two key figures from the spine of his team in Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi.

The latter netted against Burnley on Saturday in his final appearance before the competition, and given the injury to Issa Diop, his replacement is not obvious.

The same can be said for Iwobi, who has emerged among the Cottagers’ most important players over the last couple of seasons.

Both players will join up with Nigeria, who are looking to avenge their loss to Ivory Coast in the 2023 AFCON final.

Everton – Idrissa Gueye, Iliman Ndiaye

Idrissa Gueye attracted unwanted attention when he was sent off for slapping Michael Keane in a win over Manchester United last month.

But the midfielder is undoubtedly key to David Moyes‘ team, and will be a big loss when he joins up with Senegal.

Joining him there, however, is a much bigger absence for the Toffees – Iliman Ndiaye. Along with Jack Grealish, and more than, in recent weeks, Ndiaye has been a consistent difference-maker for Everton.

A sensational dribbler and reliable chance-creator, the winger is often the man who the Blues look to when in need of a moment.

His absence will be felt sorely with his likely replacement, Tyler Dibling, yet to find his feet since making the move from Southampton.

Manchester United – Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, Noussair Mazraoui

With AFCON starting, Manchester United have lost three of their consistent performers and their entire starting right flank.

Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui have put aside their more attacking qualities to put in superb defensive shifts for Ruben Amorim, but the big loss is further forward.

Bryan Mbeumo arrived from Brentford in the summer, and has become a constant source of goals in recent weeks.

The winger has netted seven times in 16 appearances, and will be extremely difficult to replace when he joins up with Cameroon.

Sunderland – Bertrand Traore, Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki, Chemsdine Talbi, Reinildo, Habib Diarra

Sunderland have only seen club-record signing Habib Diarra play four times, but they will now have to wait at least a further few weeks to see the midfielder return to action.

With him go a collection of Black Cats, all who arrived in the summer transfer window.

Decision-makers at the Stadium of Light surely knew they would be left in such a situation, which has been made even more difficult by the importance of Noah Sadiki.

The midfielder has appeared in nearly every minute of Sunderland’s Premier League season so far, and will be a massive loss when he joins up with DR Congo.

There is some relief for Regis Le Bris in the fact that Simon Adingra has not been called up for Ivory Coast, despite being the hero in 2023’s final.

West Ham – Aaron Wan-Bissaka, El Hadji Malick Diouf

Nuno Espirito Santo will be left in a tricky spot by AFCON, with the Portuguese coach set to lose both of his first-choice full-backs.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka will join up with DR Congo, while summer arrival El Hadji Malick Diouf will play for Senegal.

The two perform very different roles for the Hammers, but will be equally missed. Luckily, West Ham have a natural replacement for Wan-Bissaka in the form of Kyle Walker-Peters.

The solution on the left is a lot less obvious, however, with Nuno lacking another natural left-sided full-back in his squad.