Nov 20, 2025, 06:39 PM
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The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco is right around the corner and some of the Premier League's biggest stars are set to put their club duties on hold to bid for glory with their country.
The tournament's scheduling during the peak months of the English football season can make the illustrious tournament difficult to navigate -- as many as 45 players could be heading to Morocco for the tournament that runs from Dec. 21 to Jan. 18.
Premier League stars have found juggling their club and country obligations with Manchester United goalkeeper André Onana (currently on loan at Trabzonspor) missing Cameroon's opening game last time out after flying out late following the team's 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.
Mohamed Salah, Bryan Mbeumo and Carlos Baleba are among those due to represent their country and their respective managers will need to find a way to navigate their absence.
Whether by mistake or design, the teams challenging at the top of the Premier League are among those with the fewest African internationals in their teams.
Sunderland (7)
Sunderland's Bertrand Traore represents Burkina Faso. Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Burkina Faso: Bertrand Traoré
DR Congo:Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki
Ivory Coast:Simon Adingra
Morocco:Chemsdine Talbi
Mozambique:Reinildo
Senegal:Habib Diarra
Wolves (5)
Emmanuel Agbadou signed for Wolves in January 2025. Wolverhampton Wanderers FC/Wolves via Getty Images
Cameroon:Jackson Tchatchoua
Ivory Coast: Emmanuel Agbadou
Nigeria: Tolu Arokodare
Zimbabwe: Marshall Munetsi, Tawanda Chirewa
Crystal Palace (1-4)
Ismaïla Sarr will be a big miss for Crystal Palace during AFCON. Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images
Senegal:Ismaïla Sarr
Could feature:
Mali: Cheick Doucouré
Morocco:Chadi Riad
Nigeria:Christantus Uche
Nottingham Forest (1-4)
Ibrahim Sangaré won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2023. Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Ivory Coast:Ibrahim Sangaré
Could feature:
Ivory Coast: Willy Boly
Nigeria:Ola Aina, Taiwo Awoniyi
Manchester United (3)
Bryan Mbeumo joined Manchester United from Brentford in the summer. Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Cameroon: Bryan Mbeumo
Ivory Coast: Amad Diallo
Morocco:Noussair Mazraoui
Fulham (3)
Nigeria's Alex Iwobi has found his footing at Fulham in the past season, and will hope to shine for the Cottagers again in 2025/26. Alex Broadway/Getty Images
Nigeria: Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, Samuel Chukwueze
Burnley (3)
Lyle Foster is set to spearhead South Africa's attack in Morocco. Matt McNulty/Getty Images
DR Congo: Axel Tuanzebe
South Africa: Lyle Foster
Tunisia:Hannibal Mejbri
Everton (2-3)
Iliman Ndiaye will be a big miss on the wing for David Moyes' Everton. Michael Regan/Getty Images
Senegal: Iliman Ndiaye, Idrissa Gueye
Could feature:
Morocco:Adam Aznou
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Manchester City (2)
Omar Marmoush will join forces with Mohamed Salah as Egypt bid for glory. Mike Morese/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Algeria:Rayan Aït-Nouri
Egypt:Omar Marmoush
Brentford (2)
Dango Ouattara joined Brentford in the summer. James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Burkina Faso: Dango Ouattara
Nigeria:Frank Onyeka
Tottenham Hotspur (1-2)
Pape Matar Sarr has struggled for regular minutes under Thomas Frank this season. Xinhua via Getty Images
Senegal:Pape Matar Sarr
Could feature:
Mali: Yves Bissouma
West Ham United (1-2)
Nuno Espírito Santo will have to do without Aaron Wan-Bissaka at West Ham. Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
DR Congo: Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Could feature:
Senegal:El Hadji Malick Diouf
Liverpool (1)
Mohamed Salah is looking to add to his Liverpool legacy. Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Egypt: Mohamed Salah
Aston Villa (1)
Evann Guessand will be unavailable for Aston Villa boss Unai Emery. Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images
Ivory Coast:Evann Guessand
Brighton & Hove Albion (1)
Carlos Baleba has emerged as one of Brighton's star players. Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Cameroon: Carlos Baleba
AFC Bournemouth (1)
Amine Adli is set to link up with Morocco. Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images
Morocco:Amine Adli
Newcastle United (0-1)
The early stages of Yoane Wissa's Newcastle United career has been blighted by injury. Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images
Could feature:
DR Congo: Yoane Wissa
Arsenal (0)
Chelsea (0)
Leeds United (0)