Mohamed Salah Could Miss 10 Liverpool Games After FIFA Ruling

Liverpool may still be riding high after securing Mohamed Salah’s signature on a new contract, but even fresh terms can’t shield them from a familiar headache. The club recently confirmed Salah has signed a deal keeping him at Anfield until June 2027, extending his stay by at least another two years.

The Egyptian forward is currently enjoying his most prolific campaign yet, tallying 32 goals and 23 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions. With the Premier League title already secured and the Golden Boot within reach, Salah also surpassed Thierry Henry’s record with his 45th goal contribution last weekend.

At 32, Salah’s decision to stay was influenced in part by Liverpool’s progress under new manager Arne Slot. “I signed because I think we have a chance to win more trophies and enjoy my football,” he said. “It’s great — I’ve had my best years here. I’ve played eight years, hopefully it’ll be 10.”

But if Liverpool are to add to their silverware haul next season, they’ll have to once again navigate the challenge of the Africa Cup of Nations. The Reds have grown accustomed to losing Salah — and formerly Sadio Mane — every two years mid-season as they link up with their national teams.

During the last edition of AFCON, Salah missed five matches while representing Egypt in the Ivory Coast. A hamstring injury sustained during the tournament sidelined him for another seven games, and he struggled to hit top form upon his return.

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Injuries are part and parcel of football, but the Africa Cup of Nations is a guaranteed disruption Liverpool will have to navigate next season. The tournament has been shifted from its usual January-February window to a December-January slot, taking place in Morocco between December 21 and January 18. The change was made to avoid a clash with FIFA’s new expanded Club World Cup, which will run from June 15 to July 13 in the United States.

While most European leagues break for winter and won't be too affected, the Premier League powers on through the festive period — often its most hectic stretch — making this a real headache for clubs with key African players. Egypt, drawn into Group B, are scheduled to face Zimbabwe on December 22, South Africa on Boxing Day, and Angola on December 29.

Given Egypt’s pedigree — they’re the most decorated nation in AFCON history with seven titles — there’s every chance they go deep into the tournament. The round of 16 will be played between January 3 and 6, followed by the quarter-finals (January 9-10), semi-finals (January 14), third-place play-off (January 17), and the final in Rabat on January 18.

The Premier League won’t announce the 2025/26 fixture list until June 18, but if Liverpool’s current season is any indication, Salah could miss up to eight matches — including six in the league — depending on how far Egypt progresses.

Liverpool's AFCON clash