AFCON schedule change means no winter boost for Arsenal this season
The African Cup of Nations has confirmed it will remain a biennial tournament rather than switching to a four year cycle like the European Championship, a decision made last month that carries direct consequences for Arsenal and the rest of the Premier League this winter.
With no AFCON taking place this season, Arsenal will not benefit from rival clubs losing key players to international duty during the busy festive period, something that has worked in the Gunners' favour in recent years.
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How Arsenal has benefited before
Arsenal have not had an AFCON participant of their own in recent editions, but have still felt the tournament's effects through weakened opponents. As football.london notes, the most recent tournament ran from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026, and saw Liverpool held to a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium while without Mohamed Salah. Brighton were also missing midfielder Carlos Baleba during that window, a player who has since completed a move to Manchester United.
That absence is particularly relevant given Arsenal are set to host Manchester United at the Emirates on December 20. Had AFCON gone ahead as scheduled this winter, Baleba could potentially have missed that fixture altogether, as could Manchester United's key forward Bryan Mbeumo. Instead, with no tournament this season, both are expected to be available.
Arsenal's own African interest
Arsenal have a long history of fielding influential African players, from Kolo Toure and Kanu to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, all of whom played key roles in major honours won by the club. Since Thomas Partey's departure in the summer of 2025, however, Arsenal have not added an African player to the squad.
There have been links with Cameroonian striker Christian Kofane, 19, while the club was also previously credited with interest in Morocco international Ayyoub Bouaddi before Manchester City completed his signing. The report makes clear that Arsenal's lack of African recruits is not a deliberate strategy built around avoiding AFCON disruption, with the club expected to continue scouting African talent in upcoming transfer windows.
What comes next for AFCON
Despite the push for change, AFCON will continue on its existing two year cycle, with tournaments scheduled for 2027 and 2028. A break will follow for the 2030 World Cup, which will be partly hosted in Africa with Morocco serving as a joint host alongside Spain and Portugal. The tournament will then return in 2031 and again in 2033.
For now, Arsenal and their Premier League rivals can plan this winter's fixtures without factoring in AFCON call ups, though the issue will resurface in future seasons as the tournament's biennial schedule remains in place.
