How Will AFCON 2025 Impact Premier League Teams? – Data Analysis

The opening weeks of the 2025/2026 Premier League season have showcased the growing influence of African players across the division.

From clinical forwards to dynamic wide attackers and progressive full-backs, many sides have benefited from standout performances delivered by their African contingents.

This rising prominence, however, comes with an inevitable challenge: the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations, which is set to deprive several Premier League clubs of key personnel at a crucial stage of the campaign.

Sunderland, enjoying an unexpected surge into fourth place, face an even greater numerical setback as they prepare to lose a large group of players to international duty.

Manchester United, meanwhile, are bracing for the absence of Amad Diallo, Noussair Mazraoui, and the in-form Bryan Mbeumo under Rúben Amorim.

Beyond these sides, several other Premier League clubs will also be affected by the loss of influential African players who have been central to their early-season performances, adding further complexity to an already demanding period.

In this data analysis, we examine how the absence of these players may influence their teams’ performance, using detailed match data and statistical trends to assess the true cost of their upcoming AFCON 2025 commitments.

Which Premier League Players Will Be At AFCON 2025?

This list outlines which players are expected to be departing for AFCON this year.

Sunderland, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace will see the highest number of departures, but other sides will also lose key players to the tournament, where absences of quality may trump the numbers.

Key Minutes At Risk: Premier League Clubs Facing Major AFCON Absences

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations is set to impose a demanding test on several Premier League sides, with a number of high-usage players expected to miss a substantial stretch of the 2025/2026 campaign.