Following FIFA's controversial delay in player releases, 32 Premier League players are set to miss games for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 starting this Sunday in Morocco. Sunderland is hit hardest with six key absences, while Arsenal, Chelsea, and Aston Villa are unaffected.
Building on FIFA's decision to postpone overseas player releases to December 15—which drew sharp criticism from coaches—the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025 impacts several Premier League squads as the tournament kicks off Sunday in Morocco.
A total of 32 top-flight players have been called up, with uneven distribution. Sunderland, second in the table with 26 points from 16 games, faces the biggest blow, losing six: Bertrand Traoré (Burkina Faso), Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo), Noah Sadiki (DR Congo), Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco), Reinildo Mandava (Mozambique), and Habib Diarra (Senegal). They've combined for 4,412 minutes and 61 appearances this season. Sadiki, nearly ever-present, is a top chance creator (eight), matched by Traoré and nearly by Talbi (seven).
Manchester United misses three: Bryan Mbeumo (six goals, 17 chances created), Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco). Fulham loses Nigerian trio Alex Iwobi (23 chances created), Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze. Burnley, Everton, West Ham, and Manchester City each lose two or three, including Everton's Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye (Senegal).
Nottingham Forest without Ibrahim Sangaré (Côte d’Ivoire, 27 tackles in 13 games). Singles include Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (Egypt, seven goal involvements), Crystal Palace's Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal), and Brighton's Carlos Baleba (Cameroon, interception leader).
Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Leeds, and Newcastle benefit from no absences during the busy festive and January period.
