• Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt): Another excellent season for the Egyptian king at club level. The forward notched 22 Premier League goals to share the Premier League Golden Boot while his successful penalty in the first minute of the Uefa Champions League final set Liverpool on their way to a 2-0 win over Tottenham in the Madrid final. As hosts of this year's Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt will be strong favourites to win a record extending eighth Afcon title. Getty Images
    Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, Egypt): Another excellent season for the Egyptian king at club level. The forward notched 22 Premier League goals to share the Premier League Golden Boot while his successful penalty in the first minute of the Uefa Champions League final set Liverpool on their way to a 2-0 win over Tottenham in the Madrid final. As hosts of this year's Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt will be strong favourites to win a record extending eighth Afcon title. Getty Images
  • Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal, Egypt): Made only 17 appearances for Arsenal in 2018/19, eight in the league. Underused by Unai Emery, Elneny, 26, will hope to end the campaign on a high by lifting the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. Reuters
    Mohamed Elneny (Arsenal, Egypt): Made only 17 appearances for Arsenal in 2018/19, eight in the league. Underused by Unai Emery, Elneny, 26, will hope to end the campaign on a high by lifting the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. Reuters
  • Ahmed Elmohamad (Aston Villa, Egypt): Marauding right-back with more than 80 Egypt caps will be back in the Premier League next season after helping Aston Villa win promotion via the Championship play-off final. Getty Images
    Ahmed Elmohamad (Aston Villa, Egypt): Marauding right-back with more than 80 Egypt caps will be back in the Premier League next season after helping Aston Villa win promotion via the Championship play-off final. Getty Images
  • Arthur Masuaku (West Ham United, DR Congo): Masuaku, 25, made 23 Premier League appearances as West Ham secured a top-half finish. Represented France at Under 18 and 19 level before switching allegiance to DR Congo in June 2017. Made his debut in the 2-1 home defeat to Zimbabwe in 2019 Afcon qualifying. Reuters
    Arthur Masuaku (West Ham United, DR Congo): Masuaku, 25, made 23 Premier League appearances as West Ham secured a top-half finish. Represented France at Under 18 and 19 level before switching allegiance to DR Congo in June 2017. Made his debut in the 2-1 home defeat to Zimbabwe in 2019 Afcon qualifying. Reuters
  • Yannick Bolasie (Everton, DR Congo): A move to Everton in August 2016 was wrecked by a serious knee injury that December. Has spent time on loan at Aston Villa and Anderlecht over the past two seasons. The winger has scored nine goals in 33 international appearances. Reuters
    Yannick Bolasie (Everton, DR Congo): A move to Everton in August 2016 was wrecked by a serious knee injury that December. Has spent time on loan at Aston Villa and Anderlecht over the past two seasons. The winger has scored nine goals in 33 international appearances. Reuters
  • Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace, Ivory Coast): Another excellent season for the 26-year-old forward in the Premier League, where he reached double figures for goals for the first time in n his career. Ivory Coast hopes of winning Afcon for a third time rest largely on Zaha's shoulders. Getty Images
    Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace, Ivory Coast): Another excellent season for the 26-year-old forward in the Premier League, where he reached double figures for goals for the first time in n his career. Ivory Coast hopes of winning Afcon for a third time rest largely on Zaha's shoulders. Getty Images
  • Jean Michael Seri (Fulham, Ivory Coast): Supposedly coveted by Barcelona last summer, the midfielder, 27, was a huge disappointment in the Premier League as Fulham were relegated. Reuters
    Jean Michael Seri (Fulham, Ivory Coast): Supposedly coveted by Barcelona last summer, the midfielder, 27, was a huge disappointment in the Premier League as Fulham were relegated. Reuters
  • Serge Aurier (Tottenham Hotspur, Ivory Coast): Failed to establish himself at right-back ahead of Kieran Trippier since moving from Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. Searing pace is an asset going forward but is too often caught out defensively. Reuters
    Serge Aurier (Tottenham Hotspur, Ivory Coast): Failed to establish himself at right-back ahead of Kieran Trippier since moving from Paris Saint-Germain in 2017. Searing pace is an asset going forward but is too often caught out defensively. Reuters
  • Jonathan Kodjia (Aston Villa, Ivory Coast): The striker, 29, scored nine goals in 39 appearances as Aston Villa clinched a route back to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs. Has scored an impressive eight goals in 17 appearances for Ivory Coast. Getty Images
    Jonathan Kodjia (Aston Villa, Ivory Coast): The striker, 29, scored nine goals in 39 appearances as Aston Villa clinched a route back to the Premier League via the Championship play-offs. Has scored an impressive eight goals in 17 appearances for Ivory Coast. Getty Images
  • Steve Mounie (Huddersfield Town, Benin): Goals proved a problem in the Premier Legaue for the French-born frontman, but goals against Gambia and Togo in Afcon qualifying helped Benin reach the finals in Egypt. AP Photo
    Steve Mounie (Huddersfield Town, Benin): Goals proved a problem in the Premier Legaue for the French-born frontman, but goals against Gambia and Togo in Afcon qualifying helped Benin reach the finals in Egypt. AP Photo
  • Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace, Ghana): More pragmatic than prolific, Ayew, 27, will have a job securing a place in Kwasi Appiah's line up with brother Andre and Asamoah Gyan also vying for places. Reuters
    Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace, Ghana): More pragmatic than prolific, Ayew, 27, will have a job securing a place in Kwasi Appiah's line up with brother Andre and Asamoah Gyan also vying for places. Reuters
  • Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, Ghana): Twenty-seven Premier League appearances for Atsu, who can operate on either wing, as Newcastle secured another season of Premier League football. Astu's last goal for Ghana came in June 2016. Reuters
    Christian Atsu (Newcastle United, Ghana): Twenty-seven Premier League appearances for Atsu, who can operate on either wing, as Newcastle secured another season of Premier League football. Astu's last goal for Ghana came in June 2016. Reuters
  • Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Fulham, Cameroon): Could well be regarded as one of the worst signings in Premier League history. Anguissa, was hardly seen as Fulham were relegated from the Premier League with several games to spare. Has two goals in 15 appearances for the Indomitable Lions. Getty Images
    Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (Fulham, Cameroon): Could well be regarded as one of the worst signings in Premier League history. Anguissa, was hardly seen as Fulham were relegated from the Premier League with several games to spare. Has two goals in 15 appearances for the Indomitable Lions. Getty Images
  • Gaetan Bong, left (Brighton & Hove Albion, Cameroon): Dependable left-back who missed out on Cameroon's Afcon title success two years ago. AFP
    Gaetan Bong, left (Brighton & Hove Albion, Cameroon): Dependable left-back who missed out on Cameroon's Afcon title success two years ago. AFP
  • Wilfred Ndidi, right (Leicester City, Nigeria): One of Leicester's standout players as the Foxes finished ninth in the Premier League under Brendan Rodgers. Ndidi's energy sees him cover plenty of ground and gets his team further up the pitch. Reuters
    Wilfred Ndidi, right (Leicester City, Nigeria): One of Leicester's standout players as the Foxes finished ninth in the Premier League under Brendan Rodgers. Ndidi's energy sees him cover plenty of ground and gets his team further up the pitch. Reuters
  • Alex Iwobi (Arsenal, Nigeria): A losing Europa League finalist with Arsenal as Chelsea humiliated their London rivals in Baku last month. Iwobi has the skill to unlock tight defences but lacks end product. EPA
    Alex Iwobi (Arsenal, Nigeria): A losing Europa League finalist with Arsenal as Chelsea humiliated their London rivals in Baku last month. Iwobi has the skill to unlock tight defences but lacks end product. EPA
  • Leon Balogun, left (Brighton & Hove Albion, Nigeria): Was always going to struggle to break up the tried-and-tested centre-back partnership of Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy. Has 27 international caps for Nigeria, who are seeking a first Afcon title since 2013. Getty Images
    Leon Balogun, left (Brighton & Hove Albion, Nigeria): Was always going to struggle to break up the tried-and-tested centre-back partnership of Lewis Dunk and Shane Duffy. Has 27 international caps for Nigeria, who are seeking a first Afcon title since 2013. Getty Images
  • Naby Keita (Liverpool, Guinea): Showed glimpses of his power and energy from midfield duirng an indifferent first season at Liverpool. No doubt the 24-year-old midfielder is a world-class operator on his day. AFP
    Naby Keita (Liverpool, Guinea): Showed glimpses of his power and energy from midfield duirng an indifferent first season at Liverpool. No doubt the 24-year-old midfielder is a world-class operator on his day. AFP
  • Ibrahima Cisse, left (Fulham, Guinea): Failed to establish himself under three different managers at Fulham during 2018/19. Scored in the 2019 Afcon qualifying win over Rwanda as Guinea finished ahead of Ivory Coast at the top of Group H. Getty Images
    Ibrahima Cisse, left (Fulham, Guinea): Failed to establish himself under three different managers at Fulham during 2018/19. Scored in the 2019 Afcon qualifying win over Rwanda as Guinea finished ahead of Ivory Coast at the top of Group H. Getty Images
  • Sadio Mane (Liverpool, Senegal): A sensational season for Liverpool, Mane carried the team to the brink of the Premier League crown and was their best player in Europe as Jugen Klopp's side won the Uefa Champions League title. Mane terrorises defences with his searing pace and notched 26 goals in another prolific campaign. Will need to transfer that form to international level if Senegal are to lift a first Afcon title, where Mane has a modest return of only two goals in his last 11 appearances for his country. EPA
    Sadio Mane (Liverpool, Senegal): A sensational season for Liverpool, Mane carried the team to the brink of the Premier League crown and was their best player in Europe as Jugen Klopp's side won the Uefa Champions League title. Mane terrorises defences with his searing pace and notched 26 goals in another prolific campaign. Will need to transfer that form to international level if Senegal are to lift a first Afcon title, where Mane has a modest return of only two goals in his last 11 appearances for his country. EPA
  • Idrissa Gueye (Everton, Senegal): A destroyer of opposition attacks, Everton reportedly rebuffed Paris Saint-Germain's overtures to lure the Senegalese midfielder to the French capital in January. Reuters
    Idrissa Gueye (Everton, Senegal): A destroyer of opposition attacks, Everton reportedly rebuffed Paris Saint-Germain's overtures to lure the Senegalese midfielder to the French capital in January. Reuters
  • Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace, Senegal): A rangy and athletic player who covers plenty of ground. The 29-year-old midfielder has 46 caps for his country and will be one of Senegal manager Aliou Cisse's generals on the pitch. Reuters
    Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace, Senegal): A rangy and athletic player who covers plenty of ground. The 29-year-old midfielder has 46 caps for his country and will be one of Senegal manager Aliou Cisse's generals on the pitch. Reuters
  • Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City, Algeria): Winger Mahrez has tarted only 14 league matches since a £60 million (Dh278.7m) summer move to English champions Manchester City. Made his international debut in 2014, featuring in his country’s opening group match at the 2014 Fifa World Cup. To date, Mahrez has 43 caps, scoring 10 goals. Getty Images
    Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City, Algeria): Winger Mahrez has tarted only 14 league matches since a £60 million (Dh278.7m) summer move to English champions Manchester City. Made his international debut in 2014, featuring in his country’s opening group match at the 2014 Fifa World Cup. To date, Mahrez has 43 caps, scoring 10 goals. Getty Images
  • Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspur, Kenya): Since suffering a serious knee injury in 2017, the burly midfielder has struggled to recapture the sort of form that made him one of the Premier League's most formidable defensive screens. On his day is one of the toughest competitors around. AFP
    Victor Wanyama (Tottenham Hotspur, Kenya): Since suffering a serious knee injury in 2017, the burly midfielder has struggled to recapture the sort of form that made him one of the Premier League's most formidable defensive screens. On his day is one of the toughest competitors around. AFP
  • Romain Saiss, centre (Wolves, Morocco): Able to operate in defence or midfield, Saiss' versatility will be a welcome addition to Herve Renard's squad, who are looking to build on a strong showing at the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia. Reuters
    Romain Saiss, centre (Wolves, Morocco): Able to operate in defence or midfield, Saiss' versatility will be a welcome addition to Herve Renard's squad, who are looking to build on a strong showing at the 2018 Fifa World Cup in Russia. Reuters
  • Yves Bissouma (Brighton & Hove Albion, Mali): Was at the forefront as Brighton battled for their Premier League lives in the final third of the season. Bissouma's combative approach will add bite to Mali's midfield. Reuters
    Yves Bissouma (Brighton & Hove Albion, Mali): Was at the forefront as Brighton battled for their Premier League lives in the final third of the season. Bissouma's combative approach will add bite to Mali's midfield. Reuters
  • Marcelo Djalo, left (Fulham, Guinea-Bissau): Centre-back, 25, was on Real Madrid's books for three years as a youth team player before a series of moves across Europe. Spent the 2018/19 season on loan at Extremadura in Spain's second division, making 12 appearances. Getty Images
    Marcelo Djalo, left (Fulham, Guinea-Bissau): Centre-back, 25, was on Real Madrid's books for three years as a youth team player before a series of moves across Europe. Spent the 2018/19 season on loan at Extremadura in Spain's second division, making 12 appearances. Getty Images

2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Mohamed Salah and the Premier League players who will be on show in Egypt


Steve Luckings
  • English
  • Arabic

The 2019 Africa Cup of Nations gets underway in Egypt on June 21 with 24 teams vying to be crowned kings of the continent.

A posse of Premier League players have been called up to their respective national teams' squads. The most high profile is undoubtedly Mohamed Salah, who will carry the hopes of host nation Egypt on his shoulders as they look to win a record extending eighth Afcon title.

Salah, 26, has emerged as one of the world's finest players since joining Liverpool two summers ago.

He scored from the penalty spot to give Liverpool the lead against Tottenham in last week's Champions League final in Madrid. Liverpool went on to win the match 2-0 to win a sixth European Cup.

Liverpool missed out on winning a first Premier League trophy in 29 years by a single point to Manchester City, with Salah contributing 22 goals in another stellar season at Anfield.

Salah may feel he still has something left to prove on the international stage, though. The reigning African player of the year arrived at last year's World Cup in Russia nursing a dislocated shoulder and, despite scoring twice in the group stages, could not prevent Pharaohs from falling at the first hurdle.

Almost certain to be joining him in Egypt are Liverpool teammates Sadio Mane and Naby Keita. It is unthinkable Mane will not spearhead Senegal's challenge while Keita should be in the engine powering Guinea.

Neither Senegal or Guinea have announced their final squads, alongside Tanzania, Angola, Mali, Tunisia as well as defending champions Cameroon.

Above is a gallery of the Premier League players who have made their respective final squads and those expected to be included.

Simply swipe left/right on the gallery above.