The Bundesliga faces a measured impact from AFCON 2025 (December 21 – January 18), with title contenders Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund largely unaffected while mid-table clubs bear the burden of departures.
Key departures by club
Wolfsburg: Mohamed Amoura (Algeria) – the Fennecs' key striker who has been in strong form this season. His absence during the winter fixtures could impact Wolfsburg's European push.
Borussia Dortmund: Ramy Bensebaini (Algeria) – the versatile defender provides cover at left-back and centre-back. Dortmund's squad depth should absorb this absence.
Bayer Leverkusen: Ibrahim Maza (Algeria) and Eliesse Ben Seghir (Morocco). Xabi Alonso loses two talented young players, though neither is a guaranteed starter. Ben Seghir's involvement with hosts Morocco could extend his absence to the tournament's conclusion.
Eintracht Frankfurt: Farès Chaïbi (Algeria) – the attacking midfielder has shown flashes of quality this season. Algeria's group stage fixtures run December 22-30.
VfB Stuttgart: Bilal El Khannouss (Morocco) – the young midfielder joined from Genk and has impressed. As a Morocco international playing on home soil, he could miss the maximum number of matches if the Atlas Lions reach the final.
Title race unaffected
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund retain full squads for the title challenge. This represents a significant advantage over rivals who face disruption. The Bundesliga's top two can maintain momentum during a period when other European leagues see key players depart.
Algeria's Bundesliga concentration
Algeria have called up multiple Bundesliga players: Amoura (Wolfsburg), Bensebaini (Dortmund), Chaïbi (Frankfurt), Maza (Leverkusen). If the Fennecs progress deep into the tournament, German clubs face concentrated absences. Algeria face Sudan, Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea in Group E – a favourable draw suggesting progression to the knockout rounds.
Morocco factor
As tournament hosts, Morocco are favourites to reach at least the semi-finals. Their Bundesliga representatives – Ben Seghir (Leverkusen) and El Khannouss (Stuttgart) – face potential absences until the tournament's conclusion on January 18. The Atlas Lions open against Comoros on December 21 and face Mali and Zambia in Group A.
Return timeline
Group stage exits (December 29-31) would see players return for early January fixtures. Round of 16 elimination extends absences to mid-January. For players reaching the semi-finals or final, clubs could be without them for the entire AFCON period – approximately four Bundesliga matchdays.
The Bundesliga's winter break traditionally offers some buffer, but the 2025-26 schedule sees fixtures continue through the AFCON period, leaving affected clubs with difficult selection decisions.
