Which team suffers the most? Top 5 Premier League clubs hit hardest by AFCON, with Man United losing their entire right side.
On 17 Nov 2025 GMT+7, the Premier League clubs most affected by releasing players for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 (AFCON) were ranked. Morocco will host the tournament from 21 Dec 2025 to 18 Jan 2026.
Only three teams remain unaffected by AFCON: Arsenal, Chelsea, and Leeds United. The other 17 clubs all face impacts, with Manchester United losing their entire right flank, while Liverpool and Sunderland are without key players.
Top 5 Premier League clubs most heavily impacted by AFCON.
Rank 1: Sunderland.
Sunderland are on the rise, challenging for European spots but must release 7 players to AFCON, including Talbi, the pacey winger who scored the winning goal against Chelsea, and Noah Sadiki, a reliable partner to Granit Xhaka in midfield. If Sunderland maintain their strong form despite losing these seven key players, they will be unquestionably recognized as genuine contenders.
Rank 2: Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim benefits from having no European fixtures and an early Carabao Cup exit in round two, allowing extra time with his players during training.
Trouble looms as Manchester United may lose all three key right-side players—Mazraoui, Ahmad, and Mbeumo, the team's forward hope—significantly impacting their right flank's performance during AFCON.