When Mohamed Salah departs for AFCON 2025

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Mohamed Salah is expected to miss several Liverpool matches in the 2025/26 Premier League season due to his participation in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be hosted by Morocco from December 21, 2025, to mid-January 2026. Salah, who will captain Egypt at the tournament, is likely to remain with Liverpool until after their match against Brighton on December 13, before joining the national team camp just days before AFCON begins. This late departure means he will have limited preparation time with Egypt ahead of the competition.

Although national teams are allowed to call up players 14 days before the tournament starts, both Salah and fellow Egyptian Omar Marmoush are expected to stay with their clubs until after their respective Premier League fixtures. Egypt’s head coach, Hossam Hassan, had hoped to have key players like Salah available for a friendly against Nigeria on December 14, but it now appears unlikely. Salah’s international commitments will see him miss a significant number of Liverpool games during a crucial period of the season, potentially impacting the team’s title defense.

Salah has started the 2025/26 campaign with less sharpness than his previous outstanding performances, but he remains a vital figure for both club and country. His new contract at Anfield acknowledges his commitment to representing Egypt, even if it means being unavailable for several matches mid-season. Egypt’s busy schedule includes the Arab Cup in December, but Salah will not participate in that tournament, as Egypt will send a B squad to Qatar. The Pharaohs’ AFCON campaign begins against Zimbabwe on December 22, with Salah leading the team as captain.