The Africa Cup of Nations arrives earlier than usual this season, landing squarely in the Premier League’s busiest month.
With the tournament in Morocco running from 21 December to 18 January, up to 17 Premier League clubs face player absences as internationals jet off.
Some players could miss six or even seven league fixtures plus cup ties if their teams go deep, while those knocked out in the group stage could be back much sooner.
Here’s a sharp, club-by-club look at who stands to lose what.
Sunderland — the biggest dent
Sunderland are set to be the hardest hit, with seven players called up across several nations.
The Black Cats will part with Morocco winger Chemsdine Talbi, Senegal midfielder Habib Diarra, Mozambique full-back Reinildo, Ivory Coast winger Simon Adingra, Burkina Faso forward Bertrand Traoré, and DR Congo duo Arthur Masuaku and Noah Sadiki. Most are first-team fixtures, leaving a sizable hole in a side that’s been one of the season’s surprises.
Wolves — five departures and a fragile run
Wolves, already languishing at the bottom, will lose five squad members: Zimbabwe pair Marshall Munetsi and Tawanda Chirewa, Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Agbadou, Nigeria striker Tolu Arokodare, and Cameroon full-back Jackson Tchatchoua. Chirewa hasn’t featured this season, but the others are regulars — a brutal blow during a run of fixtures that needs points.
Fulham and Manchester United — rotation headaches
Fulham will hand three players to Nigeria: Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze, with Iwobi and Bassey integral starters.
Manchester United lose three options on the right flank: Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo, Ivory Coast winger Amad Diallo, and Morocco full-back Noussair Mazraoui, forcing tactical reshuffles during a congested festive schedule.
Brentford, West Ham, Aston Villa and others
Brentford will be missing two players, including club-record signing Dango Ouattara for Burkina Faso and the seldom-used Frank Onyeka for Nigeria.
West Ham will lose both starting full-backs, Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo) and El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal).
Aston Villa and Bournemouth each lose one fringe attacker, Evann Guessand and Amine Adli, respectively — but both managers have options to cope.
Crystal Palace, Everton and Nottingham Forest — uncertainty and maybes
Crystal Palace face a major confirmed loss if Senegal’s Ismaila Sarr goes, while three other selections remain possible depending on final call-ups and fitness.
Everton look likely to be without two established starters, Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye, both for Senegal, with a possible third depending on selection. Nottingham Forest could lose up to four players, though, for several — Willy Boly, Ola Aina, and Taiwo Awoniyi — recent injuries or non-selection reduce the certainty.
Liverpool and Manchester City — smaller but meaningful absences
Liverpool will lose one superstar: Mohamed Salah pulls on Egypt’s shirt, depriving the side of its talisman during a critical month.
Manchester City have two potential absentees, Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri, though both have been limited by injuries this season.
Newcastle, Brighton, Crystal Palace context
Newcastle may avoid significant disruption — their only potential absentee is Yoane Wissa, who has yet to play for the club and whose call-up is uncertain. Brighton will be without Carlos Baleba, a regular starter for the Seagulls, while Palace’s confirmed and potential losses could intersect with their Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal on 23 December.
What it means for December and January
Clubs will juggle rotations, tactical tweaks, and emergency signings to cover a congested fixture list.
Managers with deeper squads can mask departures; those reliant on a small core will face real risk. For teams battling relegation or chasing European spots, the AFCON window could be decisive; a star-studded absence here or a string of unexpected draws there can change a season’s arc.
Bottom line
Sunderland and Wolves face the most disruption, but the ripple effects touch almost every club in different ways. The early scheduling of AFCON 2025 turns the holiday fixtures into a chess match of availability and adaptability — managers who plan shrewdly now could win the New Year while their rivals are rebuilding.
