The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is set to begin later this month, with a host of Premier League players due to depart for the tournament.
More than 40 players from the Premier League could feature at the mid-season tournament, which is due to run from December 21st until January 18th 2026.
Ahead of the official squad announcements, we’ve picked out the biggest Premier League names set to take part.
AFCON: The biggest Premier League players heading to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations
Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
Mohamed Salah is arguably the headline departure for the tournament, as the Liverpool winger joins Egypt’s challenge. Salah is yet to win AFCON, twice finishing as runner-up in 2017 and 2021.
The record seven-time winners are bidding to end a 16-year wait for the continental title. Salah will be key to their hopes, having scored 63 goals in 109 caps for The Pharaohs. After a disappointing start to the season at Liverpool, a change of scenery could help the reigning PFA Player of the Year get back to his best.
Liverpool, however, could be without Salah for a tough schedule that includes trips to Tottenham and Arsenal.
He’ll be joined by Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush in the Egyptian squad.
Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
Bryan Mbeumo has made a positive start to his Manchester United career, following a £72m move from Brentford in the summer.
The winger is the club’s leading scorer this season (6), but will depart for Cameroon duty later this month. His absence will be a major blow to Ruben Amorim, who is also set to lose Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui to international commitments.
Bryan Mbeumo for Man United this season:
🥇 Most goals
🥇 Most goal contributions
🥇 Most shots on target
🥇 Most touches in the final 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 exit leaves the Red Devils light in the final third.
Carlos Baleba (Cameroon)
Alongside Mbeumo for the Indomitable Lions will be Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba. Touted as a £100m footballer in the summer, Baleba is the latest top-class defensive midfielder off the Brighton production line.
He will want to stamp his mark on a major tournament for the national side.
Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)
Senegal will start among the tournament favourites, having qualified unbeaten for the tournament.
An exciting forward line will be led by ex-Liverpool star Sadio Mane. He will be joined by Bayern Munich frontman Nicolas Jackson, Crystal Palace winger Ismaila Sarr and Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye.
The latter has become a firm favourite at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with an ability to make things happen in the final third.
Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye will report to Senegal for AFCON 2025 on Monday 15 December. 🇸🇳
They will therefore both be available for our game at Chelsea on Saturday 13 December. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/e2GiGWNkHP
— Everton (@Everton) December 3, 2025
He’s the Toffees’ leading scorer this season (4), which will concern David Moyes given his misfiring forwards. Everton teammate Idrissa Gueye will also be in the Senegal ranks.
Noah Sadiki (DR Congo)
Sunderland are due to be the most-impacted Premier League team with seven stars set to represent their countries at AFCON 2025. Among them is Noah Sadiki, whose infectious energy has been a driving force in Sunderland’s super start to the season.
Signed in the summer, the 20-year-old has shone on Wearside and will form part of a DR Congo team who 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 will be joined in the DR Congo squad by Premier League faces, including Sunderland teammate Arthur Masuaku, Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe and West Ham full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka. However, Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa has been left out due to a lack of fitness.
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See more –Â The Premier League teams set to be most impacted by AFCON
