From seasoned leaders to rising stars, clubs across England will be strongly represented when the tournament kicks off, highlighting the deep connection between Africa’s biggest football stage and the world’s most-watched league.
Sunderland lead the way with six players selected for AFCON duty, underlining the club’s growing African influence. The list includes Morocco’s Chemsdine Talbi, Senegal’s Habib Diarra, Mozambique defender Reinildo, Burkina Faso winger Bertrand Traoré, and DR Congo duo Arthur Masuaku and Noah Sadiki.
Manchester United will send three players, with Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo, Ivory Coast winger Amad Diallo, and Morocco international Noussair Mazraoui all expected to play key roles for their nations.
Fulham also contribute three Nigerian stars — Alex Iwobi, Calvin Bassey, and Samuel Chukwueze — adding firepower and experience to the Super Eagles’ campaign.
At Burnley, Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo), Lyle Foster (South Africa), and Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia) headline the club’s AFCON representatives, while Nottingham Forest will be represented by Ivorian duo Ibrahim Sangaré and Willy Boly.
Everton’s Senegalese pair Iliman Ndiaye and veteran midfielder Idrissa Gueye are set to carry the Toffees’ flag, while Brentford will rely on Burkina Faso’s Dango Ouattara and Nigeria’s Frank Onyeka.
Champions Manchester City are not left out, with Egypt’s Omar Marmoush and Algeria defender Rayan Aït-Nouri joining the continental showcase.
Tottenham Hotspur send midfield enforcers Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal) and Yves Bissouma (Mali), while West Ham United will be represented by Aaron Wan-Bissaka (DR Congo) and Senegal defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.
At Wolves, Zimbabwe’s Tawanda Chirewa and Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Agbadou have been named, while Brighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba will fly Cameroon’s flag.
Crystal Palace winger Ismaïla Sarr represents Senegal, and Liverpool icon Mohamed Salah once again carries Egypt’s hopes as one of the tournament’s biggest global stars.
As the focus shifts from England to Africa, the Premier League’s influence will be felt across AFCON stadiums, with fans eager to see which star shines brightest on the continent’s grandest stage.
Who will rise, who will conquer, and who will return as a continental hero? ✨