Mohamed Salah, Amad Diallo, and Bryan Mbeumo highlight a number of Premier League stars hoping to lead their nations to continental glory as the Africa Cup of Nations kicks off this month in Morocco.

The first step towards AFCON glory is advancing past the group stage and into the knockouts, which teams can do by either finishing first or second in their group, or being one of the top four third-place finishers.

Sudan’s players pose for the team picture before the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat, Morocco, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Mosa’ab Elshamy) Sudan fans hold their national flag ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations group E soccer match between Algeria and Sudan in Rabat,

RABAT, Morocco -- South Africa coach Hugo Broos isn't getting that usual Africa Cup of Nations feeling in Morocco. Broos, who led Cameroon to the title in 2017 in Gabon and took South Africa to third place at the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast, said Sunday there was a lack of enthusiasm for the 35th Africa Cup.

Algeria secured their place in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after a Riyad Mahrez penalty gave them a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso on Sunday.Mahrez made no mistake with his 23rd-minute kick as he followed his brace in the opening 3-0 defeat of Sudan to take his tally at this Cup of Nations to three goals.