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Afolabi Ezekiel - December 12, 2025
LeagueLane took a comprehensive look at how the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (AFCON) is affecting club football in Europe, especially during a critical period of the season when many teams are juggling domestic fixtures and European competitions.
The Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco runs from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026. This timing overlaps with one of the most congested periods of the European football calendar, when domestic leagues are busiest around the Christmas and New Year schedule.
Under FIFA regulations, clubs are required to release players for international duty by December 15, meaning many players will depart in mid-December and be unavailable for several weeks. Depending on how far their national teams progress, some players could miss up to six club fixtures across league and cup competitions.
In the English Premier League, dozens of African internationals have been named in AFCON squads. Clubs such as Sunderland, Manchester United, Wolves, Nottingham Forest, and others face significant absences, with players representing nations including Cameroon, Egypt, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria. Even teams with fewer African internationals risk losing key contributors for nearly a month.
Manchester United, for example, are set to lose players such as Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Noussair Mazraoui, disrupting squad balance and attacking rhythm. Meanwhile, Liverpool will see Mohamed Salah depart for Egypt—a particularly notable absence given ongoing tensions at the club. Salah may miss several crucial leagues matches before fully joining his national team.
The impact of AFCON extends well beyond England. In Scotland, Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy faces multiple absences during a demanding stretch that includes domestic cup fixtures and the high-profile Old Firm derby against Rangers. Players such as Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha will be away on AFCON duty, leaving Celtic short-handed at a crucial moment.
Rangers have also been affected by AFCON-related player movements, although the surprise omission of one midfielder from his national squad means he will remain available for early January matches, including key clashes with Celtic.
The situation reignites a long-standing tension between national teams and European clubs. European clubs and the European Club Association (ECA) have previously argued that losing key players mid-season undermines performance and increases injury risk. In past editions of AFCON, clubs have attempted to delay player releases to the latest possible date.
Conversely, for many African players, representing their country is a source of immense pride and a defining career milestone. National teams, therefore, expect full commitment from their players regardless of club circumstances.
The absence of African internationals can disrupt tactical continuity, weaken squad depth, and influence results in domestic leagues and cup competitions. Established starters are often replaced by less experienced players who must adapt quickly under pressure. For clubs battling relegation or chasing European qualification, these absences could prove decisive.
AFCON 2025 is creating a significant ripple effect across European club football. It is not merely about player absences, but about the broader strategic, competitive, and scheduling challenges clubs face when international tournaments coincide with crucial phases of the domestic season. This clash of calendars highlights the ongoing debate over how best to balance club and international football in an increasingly crowded global fixture list.
