Ligue 1 has historically been the European league most affected by AFCON, and 2025 is no exception. French clubs face widespread departures during the tournament in Morocco (December 21 – January 18), with Senegal, Mali and Cameroon drawing heavily from the French top flight.
Most affected clubs
Paris FC (5 players) – the newly promoted side after 46 years face the heaviest burden. Ilan Kebbal (Algeria) is among their most influential midfielders, and his absence could prove costly for a team fighting to establish themselves in Ligue 1.
Angers (4 players): Hervé Koffi (Burkina Faso) is the indispensable goalkeeper. Jacques Ekomie (Gabon) and Jim Allevinah (Gabon) also depart, leaving the club significantly weakened.
Le Havre (4 players): Ahmed Hassan (Egypt) headlines their departures. Le Havre face a difficult period without key contributors.
Nice (4 players): Hicham Boudaoui (Algeria) departs, though the club's squad depth should help manage his absence.
Metz (4 players): The promoted side face multiple departures during a crucial survival fight.
Big clubs impact
PSG: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco) is the sole departure. As Morocco captain and playing on home soil, Hakimi will aim to lead the Atlas Lions deep into the tournament. Luis Enrique's squad depth means this absence should be manageable, with alternatives available at right-back.
Marseille: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon), Nayef Aguerd (Morocco) and Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo) all depart. Three key players leaving simultaneously represents a significant challenge for Roberto De Zerbi, particularly Aubameyang whose goals have been crucial.
Lyon: Saïd Benrahma (Algeria) and Clinton Mata (Angola) depart. Lyon's squad should cope, but Benrahma's creativity will be missed during the absence period.
Monaco: Minimal impact expected. The principality club escape significant disruption.
Nations drawing from Ligue 1
Senegal (10 players) – the highest representation from any nation. The Lions of Teranga have built a squad heavily featuring Ligue 1 talent, including players from Monaco, Marseille and several mid-table clubs.
Mali (6 players): Kamory Doumbia (Brest) headlines, with additional players from Montpellier, Auxerre and Saint-Étienne.
Cameroon (6 players): Multiple Ligue 1 players feature in the Indomitable Lions squad.
Title race implications
The PSG-Marseille-Monaco title race should continue largely unaffected. PSG lose only Hakimi, Marseille face more disruption with three departures, and Monaco escape almost entirely. However, European qualification battles in the mid-table could be significantly influenced by these absences.
Relegation battle concerns
Paris FC, Angers, Le Havre and Metz – all clubs in or near the relegation zone – face the most severe disruption. For newly promoted sides, losing four to five players during the winter period could prove decisive in survival battles.
Historical context
Ligue 1's strong African representation means AFCON consistently affects French football more than other major leagues. The proximity of France to African nations, combined with the French football development pathway, has created deep connections that benefit national teams but challenge club planning.
