The Africa Cup of Nations and the Asian Cup are both scheduled to commence in January, leading to the participation of numerous Premier League stars.
Afcon is set to take place in Ivory Coast from January 13 to February 11, while the Asian Cup is slated for Qatar from January 12 to February 10.
Despite aligning with winter breaks in certain European leagues, Premier League clubs are expected to contend with a substantial period without key first-team players. Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s manager, acknowledged the challenge, noting that planning for such occurrences is part of the club’s responsibilities.
“We knew the Africa Cup of Nations from time to time appears and Mo has to go,” said Klopp, referring to the imminent absence of top scorer Mohamed Salah. “We have [Wataru] Endo as a participant of the Asian Cup as well, so it is like it is. We have to deal with it, and we will.”
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou, who led Australia to Asian Cup victory in 2015, emphasized the significance of both tournaments for players representing their respective regions. He noted, “A lot of European people think the European Championships are pretty important – well, it’s the same for the Asian Cup or the African Cup of Nations.”
As for the final squads, several African nations, including Angola, Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, and others, have announced their rosters for Afcon. Meanwhile, countries like Egypt, Ghana, and Mali have unveiled provisional squads, with the final list due by January 3, 2024.
For the Asian Cup, Australia, Iraq, Malaysia, and South Korea have finalized their 26-man squads. Other nations, such as China, Hong Kong, India, and others, have released provisional squads, with the deadline for finalizing squads set for January 2, 2024. It’s worth noting that squads from Bahrain, Iran, Japan, and other countries are based on likely inclusions following recent international fixtures, as they have submitted provisional squads to the Asian Football Federation without public disclosure.
AFC Bournemouth – 2
Dango Ouattara (Forward, Burkina Faso)
Antoine Semenyo (Forward, Ghana)
Midfielder Hamed Traore was named in Ivory Coast’s provisional squad list but not in the final squad announced on 28 December after contracting malaria.
Arsenal – 3
Mohamed Elneny (Midfielder, Egypt)
Thomas Partey (Midfielder, Ghana)
Takehiro Tomiyasu (Defender, Japan)
Aston Villa – 1
Bertrand Traore (Midfielder, Burkina Faso)
Brentford – 4
Saman Ghoddos (Midfielder, Iran)
Kim Ji-soo (Defender, South Korea)
Frank Onyeka (Midfielder, Nigeria)
Yoane Wissa (Forward, DR Congo)
Midfielder Bryan Mbeumo was named in Cameroon’s provisional squad list but not in the final squad announced on 28 December after an ankle injury.
Brighton – 2
Simon Adingra (Forward, Ivory Coast)
Tariq Lamptey (Defender, Ghana)
Forward Kaoru Mitoma inclusion for Japan is in doubt after he was ruled out for four to six weeks with an ankle injury.
Midfielder Samy Chouchane was named in Tunisia’s provisional squad list but not in the final squad announced on 28 December.
Burnley – 1
Basilio Rieno (Midfielder, Equatorial Guinea) In Burnley’s U21s squad
Forward Lyle Foster was named in South Africa’s provisional squad list but not in the final squad announced on 28 December after the recurrence of a mental health issue.
Chelsea – 1
Nicolas Jackson (Forward, Senegal)
Crystal Palace – 1
Jordan Ayew (Forward, Ghana)
Cheick Doucoure (Midfielder, Mali)
Everton – 1
Idrissa Gueye (Midfielder, Senegal)
Fulham – 3
Fode Ballo-Toure (Defender, Senegal) On loan from AC Milan
Calvin Bassey (Defender, Nigeria)
Alex Iwobi (Midfielder, Nigeria)
Liverpool – 2
Wataru Endo (Midfielder, Japan)
Mohamed Salah (Forward, Egypt)
Luton – 1
Issa Kabore (Defender, Burkina Faso)
Midfielder Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu was named in DR Congo provisional squad list but but not in the final squad announced on 27 December.
Manchester City – 0
Manchester United – 3
Sofyan Amrabat (Midfielder, Morocco) On loan from Fiorentina
Amad Diallo (Forward, Ivory Coast)
Andre Onana (Goalkeeper, Cameroon)
Midfielder Hannibal Mejbri was named in Tunisia’s provisional squad list but not in the final squad announced on 28 December after he asked to be left out of the squad.
Newcastle – 0
Nottingham Forest – 6
Ola Aina (Defender, Nigeria)
Serge Aurier (Defender, Ivory Coast)
Willy Boly (Defender, Ivory Coast)
Cheikhou Kouyate (Midfielder, Senegal)
Moussa Niakhate (Defender, Senegal)
Ibrahim Sangare (Midfielder, Ivory Coast)
Sheffield United – 2
Yasser Larouci (Defender, Algeria) On loan from Troyes
Anis Ben Slimane (Midfielder, Tunisia)
Forward Benie Traore was named in the Ivory Coast provisional squad list but not in the final squad announced on 28 December.
Tottenham – 3
Yves Bissouma (Midfielder, Mali)
Son Heung-min (Forward, South Korea)
Pape Matar Sarr (Midfielder, Senegal)
West Ham – 2
Nayef Aguerd (Defender, Morocco)
Mohammed Kudus (Midfielder, Ghana)
Forward Maxwel Cornet was named in the Ivory Coast provisional squad list but not in the final squad announced on 28 December.
Forward Said Benrahma was named in the Algeria provisional squad list but not in the final squad announced on 29 December.
Wolves – 4
Hwang Hee-chan (Midfielder, South Korea)
Justin Hubner (Defender, Indonesia)
Rayan Ait-Nouri (Defender, Algeria)
Boubacar Traore (Midfielder, Mali)
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