The countdown to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has officially begun, and anticipation is steadily building across the continent.
Set to run from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026, the tournament will be staged in Morocco, where Africa’s top national teams will compete for continental supremacy. As always, the competition will feature a strong Premier League presence, with several high-profile players arriving from England’s top flight to represent their countries on one of Africa’s biggest football stages.
In a move that eased tensions between clubs and national teams, FIFA confirmed on December 3 that players selected for AFCON will not be required to leave their clubs until December 15. This decision allows African internationals, including Nigerian stars, to remain with their teams for an extra week before joining their national camps.
Several countries have already unveiled their squads, revealing an impressive list of Premier League-based talents. Burkina Faso will be represented by Brentford’s Dango Ouattara and Sunderland winger Bertrand Traoré. Cameroon’s squad includes Bryan Mbeumo of Manchester United and Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba. The Democratic Republic of the Congo has named Arthur Masuaku, Noah Sadiki, Axel Tuanzebe, and West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Egypt’s hopes once again rest heavily on Liverpool icon Mohamed Salah, alongside Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush. Defending champions Ivory Coast have called up Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, Wolves defender Emmanuel Agbadou, and Nottingham Forest duo Willy Boly and Ibrahim Sangaré. Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma will feature for Mali.
Host nation Morocco boasts Noussair Mazraoui of Manchester United and Sunderland’s Chemsdine Talbi, while Mozambique’s Reinildo Mandava also plies his trade with Sunderland. Nigeria’s Premier League contingent includes Fulham trio Calvin Bassey, Alex Iwobi, and Samuel Chukwueze, as well as Brentford midfielder Frank Onyeka. South Africa’s Lyle Foster (Burnley), Tunisia’s Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley), and Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa (Wolves) complete the list of confirmed EPL players so far.
Meanwhile, Algeria, Senegal, and Sudan are yet to announce their final squads, with Premier League names still expected. On the other hand, several qualified nations—including Angola, Gabon, Zambia, and Uganda—will head to Morocco without any Premier League representation.
With elite talent, passionate fans, and high stakes, AFCON 2025 promises excitement, intensity, and unforgettable moments as Africa crowns its next champion.
