The important AFCON 2025 dates and their potential impact on Sunderland in the midst of the summer transfer rush
Several astute Mackems on the internet have already dubbed it “SAFCON.” Five of Sunderland’s six permanent additions this summer are African, and many fans are worried about how much the continental competition might interfere with Regis Le Bris’ team given that the Cup of Nations is scheduled for the middle of the 2025–2026 season.
Although Simon Adingra, Habib Diarra, Reinildo Mandava, Noah Sadiki, and Chemsdine Talbi are all technically qualified to compete in the event, which players are most likely to do so, and if they do, for how long? From December 21st, 2025, to January 18th, 2026, Morocco will host the 2025 African Cup of Nations. The competition will take place throughout the course of Christmas and New Year’s for the first time.
FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup format led to the decision to move AFCON back to later in the year. Originally, the competition was scheduled to take place this summer to limit scheduling problems with several major European leagues. Ivory Coast, the home of Sunderland’s new kid Adingra, will bid to defend the title they won in 2023. A total of 24 nations will participate over nine venues in six host cities.
From Sunderland’s point of view, the bad news is that all five of their recent additions may potentially attend the tournament in December. As previously stated, Adingra’s Ivory Coast, Diarra’s Senegal, Sadiki’s Democratic Republic of the Congo, Reinildo’s Mozambique, and Talbi’s Morocco will all take part.
Although Talbi played for Belgium as a youth international, he decided to switch allegiance to Morocco, and FIFA approved the move in March of this year. Adingra, Diarra, Sadiki, and Reinildo are all senior internationals who have recently and regularly represented their countries at the highest level. Although he hasn’t played for the Atlas Lions yet, he has been called up to the senior squad before.
The AFCON could have an impact on several Sunderland games because it starts during a hectic holiday season. It may be worth mentioning that the campaign’s first Wear-Tyne Derby, against Newcastle United, is scheduled for December 13th, just eight days before the Cup of Nations’ curtain-raiser on December 21st. This will depend on when players depart to join their respective international groups.
On the same day, the Black Cats take on Brighton & Hove Albion on December 20. Depending on how well different players develop in Morocco, their matches against Leeds United (December 27), Manchester City (December 30), Tottenham Hotspur (January 3), Brentford (January 7), and Crystal Palace (January 17) may also be impacted. In addition to the Premier League, the FA Cup’s Third Round is scheduled for the weekend of January 10.
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