Mo Salah & The AFCON Effect!

As we move into 2026, Premier League football clubs will be watching the African Cup of Nations (AFCON), taking place in Morocco, with an equal mix of interest and concern.

Most clubs have individuals taking part in this mid-season international tournament (some more than others) and will be keeping their fingers crossed that players return injury free.

With the final taking place on 18th January, top clubs chasing domestic and European trophies could  be without a number of their star names for over 4 weeks and with the usual Christmas fixture pile-up across English football, a large number of games will have been missed, leaving supporters to debate the pros and cons of signing players who qualify for this tournament in the middle of every other season – it is an interesting debate and has many facets.

‘Premier League squads should have enough depth to cope with losing players for a period of time’ (goes one argument) – ‘putting additional strain on bodies with a mid-season international tournament is ridiculous’ (goes another)!

In truth, clubs are well aware of which players may be going to this tournament prior to signing them and usually have cover long in advance – but of course, the question must be asked – ‘how do Liverpool cover the departure of Mo Salah or Manchester United cover Brian Mbeumo’s absence effectively?

Surely FIFA could find a way to manage their global calendar without disrupting European domestic leagues in this manner?  It cannot be that difficult to schedule this tournament in-line with European Championships, for instance?

By the way - spare a thought for Sunderland who’s fantastic start to the Premier League season is about to be severely tested with 6 of their players taking part!

All eyes in Morocco will undoubtably be on Liverpool star Mo Salah however.  The Reds star striker’s outburst prior to leaving for the tournament exploded spectacularly, ensuring his comments were viewed across the world.

Having been dropped from Liverpool’s starting 11 for 3 games, Salah’s rant to journalists was as spectacular as it was unprecedented!

Claiming to ‘have no relationship with his manager’ and insisting he shouldn’t have to ‘fight’ for his place in the team (based upon his form in previous seasons), along with claiming the club had ‘thrown him under the bus’ took everyone by surprise and completely split the clubs supporter-base.

I believe it was an appalling lack of humility and class from a player who has been adored and very well rewarded by his club – creating this drama just prior to leaving for AFCON was calculated to create as much damage as possible and has made Liverpool’s difficulties this season, all about him.

All eyes will be on his return to the club this month!

Image Credits: nmr hrd via pexels.com; Kevin Walsh from Preston Brook & Mahnur Hossain, England via commons.wikimedia.org