The Africa Cup of Nations is poised to create a significant headache for Premier League managers, with Sunderland set to feel the pain more acutely than any other top-flight club in Europe. The Black Cats will be without a staggering six first-team players for the duration of the tournament, which kicks off in Morocco this Sunday, 21 December, and concludes on 18 January 2026.
Sunderland's Significant Squad Depletion
Sunderland, currently sitting eighth in the Premier League table, faces a major test of its squad depth. The club must navigate the busy festive period and beyond without a core group of internationals. Heading to represent their nations are Congolese pair Arthur Masuaku and Noah Sadiki, Mozambican defender Reinildo, Malian midfielder Habib Diarra, and attackers Chemsdine Talbi of Morocco and Bertrand Traoré of Burkina Faso.
This exodus highlights the growing quality within the Wearside squad but presents a clear challenge for their manager. The timing is particularly tricky, with the tournament bisecting the heart of the domestic season.
Premier League and European Impact
Sunderland is far from alone in seeing its ranks thinned. Fourteen other Premier League sides are also affected. Liverpool will be without their Egyptian talisman Mohamed Salah, a departure some observers suggest might ease recent reported tensions with manager Arne Slot.
Manchester United also take a substantial hit, losing defender Noussair Mazraoui, forward Bryan Mbeumo, and winger Amad Diallo—who found the net in Monday's dramatic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
Across the continent, the story is similar. France's Ligue 1 is once again the largest contributor of players, with 51 individuals called up. However, its winter break, which began after last weekend and runs until 2 January, mitigates the immediate disruption. By the time Ligue 1 resumes, the Afcon will be deep into its knockout phase.
Wider Disruption Across Major Leagues
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) made some concessions to clubs, moving the start date to before Christmas and allowing a later release of players—just seven days before the tournament instead of 14. This enabled many to feature in last weekend's league fixtures.
Despite these measures, the mid-season scheduling continues to frustrate European clubs. Beyond England and France, top divisions in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain are all feeling the effects. In total, Serie A clubs have provided 21 players, the Bundesliga 18, and LaLiga 15 for the 24 national squads competing in Morocco.
The coming weeks will be a test of squad management and resilience, especially for Sunderland, who must find a way to maintain their promising league position without a sextet of key contributors. Their performance could define the success of their season.
