Up to 43 Premier League players could miss part of this season to play at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and new Manchester United signing Bryan Mbuemo are among the biggest Premier League names set to feature at the competition.

Afcon, held biennially, has historically posed selection challenges for clubs during winter fixtures, with star players temporarily unavailable.

The next edition of the tournament, taking place in Morocco, lasts for four weeks from Sunday, 21 December 2025 to Sunday, 18 January 2026.

Fifty players from African countries currently play in the Premier League but, with Ghana, Gambia and Guinea-Bissau all failing to qualify, Tottenham’s Mohammed Kudus and Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo are among four players who will not feature at the competition.

Three African Premier League players have already been left out of their respective nations’ squads – Yoane Wissa, Blondy Nna Noukeu and Jackson Tchatchoua.

Six rounds of Premier League fixtures are due to take place between those dates, as well as the third round of the FA Cup and the semi-final first legs of the EFL Cup, meaning that there is a total of eight matches some players may miss.