Despite signing a new two-year deal, Mohamed Salah may be absent for up to 10 Liverpool matches next season. The issue stems from FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) being scheduled simultaneously during the busiest part of the English football calendar.
AFCON 2025 will run from December 21 to January 18 in Morocco, meaning Salah could miss:
- 6 Premier League games
- 1 Champions League fixture
- 1 FA Cup match
- 2 Carabao Cup ties
FIFA’s decision has forced AFCON to stay in the winter window, creating a major selection dilemma for Arne Slot, especially with other African players potentially affected as well.
