More than 40 Premier League players could take part in the mid-season tournament, which runs from December 21 to January 18, 2026.
Ahead of the official squad announcements, we’ve picked out the biggest names from the Premier League who will be taking part.
AFCON: The biggest Premier League players heading to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Mohamed Salah is perhaps the biggest departure for the tournament as the Liverpool winger joins Egypt’s challenge. Salah is yet to win AFCON and finished second twice in 2017 and 2021.
The record seven-time winners are seeking to end a 16-year wait for the continental title. Salah will be key to their hopes after scoring 63 goals in 109 caps for The Pharaohs. After a disappointing start to the season for Liverpool, a change of scenery could help the reigning PFA Player of the Year get back to his best.
However, Liverpool could be without Salah due to a tough schedule that includes trips to Tottenham and Arsenal.
He is joined in the Egyptian squad by Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush.
Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
Bryan Mbeumo has made a positive start to his career at Manchester United following a £72million move from Brentford in the summer.
The winger is the club’s top scorer this season (6), but will leave for Cameroon later this month. His absence will be a major blow to Ruben Amorim, who will also lose Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui to international duties.
Bryan Mbeumo for Man United this season:
🥇 Most goals
🥇 Most target contributions
🥇 Most shots on target
🥇 Most touches in the last third
🥇Most touches in the box📊 @StatmanDave pic.twitter.com/qD0F9Y9UIG
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 20, 2025
With Benjamin Sesko sidelined through injury, Mbeumo’s elimination leaves the Red Devils in the final third.
Carlos Baleba (Cameroon)
Joining Mbeumo for the Indomitable Lions is Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba. Baleba, who was touted as a £100million footballer this summer, is the latest top-class defensive midfielder to join the production line at Brighton.
He will want to leave his mark on a major tournament for the national team.
Ndiaye Education (Senegal)
Senegal will start as one of the tournament favorites, having qualified for the tournament undefeated.
An exciting forward line will be led by ex-Liverpool star Sadio Mane. He is joined by Bayern Munich frontman Nicolas Jackson, Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye.
The latter has become a firm favorite at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with the ability to make things happen in the final third.
IRSSA Gana gueye and almond in Senegal report to Senegal for AFCON 2025 on Monday, December 15. 🇸🇳
So they will both be available for our game against Chelsea on Saturday 13 December. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/e2GiGWNkHP
— Everton (@Everton) December 3, 2025
He is the Toffees’ top scorer this season (4), which will worry David Moyes given his attacking failures. Everton teammate Idrissa Gueye will also be in the Senegal rankings.
Noah Sadiki (DR Congo)
Sunderland will be the most affected Premier League team with seven stars set to represent their country at AFCON 2025. Among them is Noah Sadiki, whose infectious energy has been a driving force in Sunderland’s superstar start to the season.
Signed in the summer, the 20-year-old has shone on Wearside and will be part of a DR Congo team that should be considered dark horses for the tournament. DR Congo recently celebrated a first-ever World Cup qualification, beating giants Cameroon and Nigeria in the play-offs.
Sadiki is joined in the DR Congo squad by Premier League players including Sunderland teammate Arthur Masuaku, Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe and West Ham full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka. However, Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa is out due to a lack of fitness.
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See more – Premier League teams will be most affected by AFCON
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