As the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 gets closer, Premier League managers and fans are getting ready for what has become a big tactical and logistical headache: losing important players at the worst time of the season.
AFCON is set to take place from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. During this time, several star players will be pulled away from their Premier League duties, which could change the title race, the battles for European qualification, and the fights to stay in the league.
In this article, we talk about 10 important Premier League players who are likely to miss games because of AFCON 2025. We also look at which clubs will be most affected and how this could change the course of the season.
Why the Timing of AFCON Is So Bad
AFCON’s winter window cuts right into the middle of the Premier League schedule, unlike European international tournaments that take place in the summer. There are a lot of games going on during this time, including holiday games, New Year’s derbies, and FA Cup ties. Even a short break can stop the flow of play.
10 Premier League Stars Probably Won’t Play in Important Games
Here are 10 well-known players who are likely to play for their countries at AFCON 2025:
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt / Liverpool)
Every AFCON cycle, Salah’s absence is always felt deeply. Without him, Liverpool’s attack could slow down because of his ability to score goals and come up with new ideas.
- Thomas Partey, who plays for Arsenal and Ghana
Arsenal fans are already upset with Partey’s injury history. If he is healthy and picked, his leaving could leave a hole in the defensive midfield that Mikel Arteta will have a hard time filling, especially against teams that press high.
- André Onana (Cameroon / Manchester United)
If Onana plays, United may have to use a backup goalkeeper during a busy stretch of games, which raises questions about how stable their defense is.
- Nicolas Jackson (Chelsea/Senegal)
Jackson is still getting used to life in the Premier League, but he is a key part of Chelsea’s new attack. If we lost him, the front line would be slower and less threatening in the air.
- Benrahma said (West Ham / Algeria)
Benrahma’s trickery and creativity in the final third are very important to West Ham. His absence will hurt their attacking depth, especially if there are a lot of games in a short amount of time.
- Yves Bissouma (Mali / Tottenham)
Bissouma is an important part of Spurs’ midfield because he works hard on defense and moves the ball forward. If he’s not there, it could put pressure on important games.
- Wilfried Zaha (Ivory Coast/Crystal Palace)
Zaha’s impact at Palace will still be huge whether he goes back to the Premier League or stays on loan. A team that depends on individual talent would suffer greatly without him.
- Mohammed Kudus (Ghana / West Ham)
Kudus is a rising star whose creativity and ability to score goals have made him a fan favorite. West Ham will miss his energy, especially when things change.
- Alex Iwobi (Nigeria / Fulham)
Iwobi is a key playmaker for Fulham. His creative runs and forward thinking connect the midfield and the attack. Fulham’s possession play will suffer when he leaves.
- Frank Onyeka (Brentford / Nigeria)
Onyeka worked hard in the middle of the field, and Brentford will miss his defensive coverage as they try to stay out of the relegation zone.
Clubs Most Affected by AFCON 2025
| Club | Key Players Affected | Potential Impact |
| Liverpool | Mohamed Salah | Huge loss in attack |
| Arsenal | Thomas Partey | Midfield control could weaken |
| Man United | André Onana | Risk of goalkeeper errors |
| West Ham | Benrahma, Kudus | Major creative gaps |
| Tottenham | Yves Bissouma | Loss of midfield anchor |
| Chelsea | Nicolas Jackson | Striker depth reduced |
| Brentford | Frank Onyeka | Midfield legs missing |
How Managers Could Change
Rotation and Loans: Managers might rely more on squad players or bring back players on loan to fill in gaps.
January Transfers: Some teams may make moves in the market, especially those with a chance to win the title.
Tactical Changes: Some coaches may change their formations, like going from 4-3-3 to 4-2-3-1 to make room for replacements who aren’t as mobile.
Effect on the Race for the Title
Just losing Salah could make Manchester City or Arsenal more likely to win. If Arsenal loses Partey but City keeps its squad intact, the Gunners may have a hard time matching City’s point total during the AFCON period.
Also, if United have trouble in goal because Onana is out and Tottenham loses midfield steel, we could see some surprises in the Top 4 race, maybe with Aston Villa or Newcastle United taking advantage.
Salah is likely to miss 3–4 games during this time, which could also be important for the Golden Boot race.
Don’t Forget the Bookies
People who bet should pay close attention to AFCON call-ups. Once absences are confirmed, the odds can change a lot. What would be the smart thing to do? Keep an eye on training camps and squad announcements in early December.
Some fans also look for other things to do when there isn’t a game or when important players aren’t there. A lot of football fans like to relax by playing casino games. If you’re one of them, you might want to play immortal romance slot. It’s a well-known game with a thrilling story and gameplay.
Things to Watch
Clubs will be hoping that important matches don’t happen during the tournament. Some important possible fights during AFCON 2025 are:
Liverpool vs. Arsenal: If this game happens during the AFCON window, both teams could be very weak.
Man United vs. Tottenham—this game could go in a lot of different directions without Onana and Bissouma.
Chelsea vs. West Ham: Both teams have a lot of players who have been called up to the AFCON, so their depth will be tested.
Last Thoughts
AFCON 2025 is more than just a celebration of African football; it’s a threat to the Premier League. The absence of key players will put the tactical skills of top managers and the depth of elite squads to the test. Teams with more players on the bench and systems that can change could have a big advantage.
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