AFCON 2025 Premier League Overview: Clubs Affected and Key Absences

Introduction: Why AFCON Matters for the Premier League

The Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is one of the most impactful international tournaments for the Premier League, especially for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers. When AFCON takes place mid-season, clubs lose key players for several weeks, creating tactical challenges for managers and major decision points for fantasy players.

AFCON 2025 is set to disrupt squads across the Premier League, with star attackers, defensive leaders, and midfield engines leaving to represent their national teams. For FPL managers, this period is critical: holding unavailable players can cost valuable points, while smart transfers can provide a major rank boost.

This guide provides a full AFCON Premier League overview, detailing which clubs are affected, the key player absences, and how to plan effectively in FPL during the tournament.

When Does AFCON Affect the Premier League?

AFCON typically takes place between January and February, overlapping with crucial Premier League fixtures. Depending on how far national teams progress, players may miss:

• 3 to 6 Premier League matches
• FA Cup fixtures
• League Cup ties
• Potential double gameweeks later in the season

This makes AFCON one of the most disruptive periods in the Premier League calendar.

Premier League Clubs Affected by AFCON 2025

Below is a club-by-club breakdown of Premier League players heading to AFCON, based on your provided list.

Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Leeds United, Newcastle United

Good news for these clubs and FPL managers:
No players called up for AFCON.

This stability makes players from these teams attractive short-term options during the tournament, especially for captains and defenders.

Brentford

Players at AFCON:

• Dango Ouattara (Burkina Faso)
• Frank Onyeka (Nigeria)

Impact:
Brentford lose important midfield depth and energy. Onyeka’s absence affects ball recovery and pressing, while Ouattara’s pace and width will be missed.

FPL Insight:
Consider selling Onyeka. Brentford attackers may become less reliable without midfield support.

Brighton & Hove Albion

Players at AFCON:

• Carlos Baleba (Cameroon)

Impact:
Baleba provides physicality and balance in midfield. His absence may force tactical adjustments.

FPL Insight:
Brighton attackers remain viable, but defensive consistency could drop slightly.

Burnley

Players at AFCON:

• Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo)
• Lyle Foster (South Africa)
• Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia)

Impact:
Burnley are heavily affected across defense, midfield, and attack. Losing Foster reduces goal threat, while Tuanzebe weakens defensive stability.

FPL Insight:
Avoid Burnley players during AFCON unless fixtures are extremely favorable.

Crystal Palace

Players at AFCON:

• Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal)

Impact:
Sarr is Palace’s main attacking outlet. His absence significantly reduces goal and assist potential.

FPL Insight:
Strong sell candidate. Palace attackers become risky without him.

Everton

Players at AFCON:

• Idrissa Gueye (Senegal)
• Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)

Impact:
Everton lose both defensive midfield control and attacking creativity. Ndiaye’s departure is particularly damaging.

FPL Insight:
Everton attackers should be avoided. Defensive assets also lose value.

Fulham

Players at AFCON:

• Calvin Bassey (Nigeria)
• Alex Iwobi (Nigeria)
• Samuel Chukwueze (Nigeria)

Impact:
Fulham are among the most affected clubs. Losing multiple starters impacts all areas of the pitch.

FPL Insight:
Sell Iwobi and Chukwueze. Fulham’s attacking output is likely to drop.

Liverpool

Players at AFCON:

• Mohamed Salah (Egypt)

Impact:
This is one of the biggest AFCON absences in the Premier League. Salah is Liverpool’s main goal scorer, creator, and captain.

FPL Insight:
Salah is almost certainly a sell or temporary removal. Liverpool attackers like Darwin Núñez or Diogo Jota may become short-term alternatives.

Manchester City

Players at AFCON:

• Rayan Aït-Nouri (Algeria)
• Omar Marmoush (Egypt)

Impact:
City have the squad depth to cope, but rotation may increase.

FPL Insight:
City defenders and midfielders remain viable, but monitor Pep Guardiola’s rotation carefully.

Manchester United

Players at AFCON:

• Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
• Amad Diallo (Ivory Coast)
• Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco)

Impact:
United lose depth on the wings and at full-back.

FPL Insight:
Rotation risk increases. Be cautious with United assets during AFCON.

Nottingham Forest

Players at AFCON:

• Willy Boly (Ivory Coast)
• Ibrahim Sangaré (Ivory Coast)

Impact:
Defensive solidity takes a hit without Boly and Sangaré.

FPL Insight:
Forest defenders are poor options during AFCON.

Sunderland

Players at AFCON:

• Bertrand Traoré (Burkina Faso)
• Arthur Masuaka (DR Congo)
• Noah Sadiki (DR Congo)
• Chemsdine Talbi (Morocco)
• Reinildo (Mozambique)
• Habib Diarra (Senegal)

Impact:
Sunderland are one of the most affected squads overall.

FPL Insight:
Avoid Sunderland players entirely during AFCON.

Tottenham Hotspur

Players at AFCON:

• Yves Bissouma (Mali)
• Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal)

Impact:
Tottenham lose key midfield balance and ball progression.

FPL Insight:
Spurs attackers may still perform, but midfield control will be weaker.

West Ham United

Players at AFCON:

• Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo)
• El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal)

Impact:
Defensive depth is affected, especially on the right side.

FPL Insight:
West Ham defenders become risky picks.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Players at AFCON:

• Emmanuel Agbadou (Ivory Coast)
• Tawanda Chirewa (Zimbabwe)

Impact:
Squad depth is tested, but Wolves can manage with rotation.

FPL Insight:
Monitor lineups before investing in Wolves players.

AFCON Strategy Tips for Fantasy Premier League Managers

1. Plan Transfers Early

Do not wait until players leave. Use free transfers to gradually remove AFCON-bound players.

2. Consider a Wildcard

AFCON is one of the best periods to use a Wildcard, especially if you own Salah or multiple African internationals.

3. Target Unaffected Clubs

Clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, Newcastle, and Aston Villa become extremely valuable during AFCON.

4. Watch Return Dates

Some players may return earlier if their teams are eliminated. Monitor progress closely.

Conclusion: Turning AFCON Disruption into FPL Advantage

AFCON is a challenging but rewarding period for Premier League and Fantasy Premier League managers who plan ahead. While key stars like Mohamed Salah will be missed, smart managers can take advantage of fixture swings, squad stability, and differential picks.

By understanding which clubs are affected, planning transfers carefully, and adapting your strategy, AFCON can become an opportunity rather than a problem.

Stay informed, stay flexible, and use this AFCON Premier League overview to stay ahead of the competition.