The countdown to the AFCON 2025 in Morocco is underway, and several Premier League standouts are preparing to join their national teams for Africa’s most prestigious football competition — which will be available live and in full on beIN SPORTS. With the tournament running from December 21 to January 18, English clubs are bracing for the temporary loss of key figures whose international duties may disrupt the heart of the Premier League season.

While some teams face significant absences, others at the top of the table benefit from having fewer African internationals on their rosters. Still, stars like Mohamed Salah, Bryan Mbeumo, Carlos Baleba, and Omar Marmoush headline a long list of players set to represent their nations as Africa’s biggest stage approaches.

Confirmed and Potential Call-Ups Across the Premier League

Several clubs will feel the impact more than others. Sunderland leads the list with up to seven potential AFCON participants, including Bertrand Traoré for Burkina Faso and Arthur Masuaku for DR Congo. Wolves could also lose key players such as Jackson Tchatchoua, Marshall Munetsi, and Emmanuel Agbadou.

At Crystal Palace, the absence of Ismaïla Sarr — a crucial figure in attack — could be a major setback, while Nottingham Forest may have up to four players involved, including Ibrahim Sangaré and Willy Boly with Ivory Coast.

Even powerhouses like Manchester United face uncertainty, with Bryan Mbeumo confirmed for Cameroon and possible call-ups for Noussair Mazraoui and Amad Diallo. Liverpool, meanwhile, will once again rely on depth as Mohamed Salah joins Egypt’s quest for the continental crown.

The Broader Impact on Clubs — and the Spotlight on Africa

For managers across England, the AFCON window represents a tactical challenge. Rotations will be tested, depth will be exposed, and young players may earn unexpected opportunities. The situation underscores the rising importance and visibility of African football — heightened even more by the fact that AFCON 2025 will be broadcast entirely on beIN SPORTS, bringing the tournament to fans around the world.

From Pape Matar Sarr at Tottenham Hotspur to Alex Iwobi at Fulham and Lyle Foster at Burnley, the African influence across the Premier League continues to grow. And while some clubs will feel the strain, national teams are welcoming some of their biggest stars at just the right moment.

With Morocco preparing an unforgettable edition of the tournament, supporters can follow every storyline, upset and superstar performance live, only on beIN SPORTS.