When is Mohamed Salah back from AFCON? Liverpool return date after 2025 Africa Cup of Nations

Given the recent strain in relationship between player and club, Mohamed Salah's time as a Liverpool player looks like it could come to an end in 2026.

In fact, it's even possible he has played his final game as a Red. Having departed for international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations in December, Salah could now be nearing an acrimonious end to his illustrious time at Anfield.

Yet there's also the potential that Salah returns to the club following the conclusion of Egypt's journey through AFCON, ready to help press on towards the latter stages of the 2025/26 season.

The Sporting News brings you a full overview of when Salah will make his way back to Merseyside, when his matches with Egypt will be, and what games he will miss thanks to international duty.

MORE: Egypt top Nigeria in pre-AFCON friendly with Salah on the bench

When is AFCON 2025?

The 2025 Africa Cup of Nations began on December 21 and is contested for a month all the way up until the final on January 18.

Originally scheduled for this past June and July, AFCON was pushed back to the winter due to the 2025 Club World Cup scheduled for action in the United States over the same time.

When is Mohamed Salah back from AFCON?

Egypt are now through to the semifinals, where they will face Senegal on January 14. That means Salah has now officially progressed as deep into the Africa Cup of Nations as possible, since all semifinalists are guaranteed two more matches regardless of the upcoming result.

Should Egypt beat Senegal they would reach the final on January 18, and if they are defeated they would progress instead to the third-place game on January 17.

Because of this, Salah is guaranteed to miss all Liverpool matches up to the Premier League meeting with Burnley on January 17. Given the travel and rest required in the aftermath of AFCON, he also may miss the Champions League meeting with Marseille on Wednesday, January 21. Salah would most likely return to Liverpool duty for the weekend Premier League game against Bournemouth on Saturday, January 24.

MORE: Complete group tables and schedule for AFCON 2025

There is also the possibility that the forward is sold in the January transfer window, potentially meaning he would not return to the club at all should a deal progress prior to the end of the AFCON tournament. However, at this stage, a transfer is not looking imminent.

Egypt AFCON schedule

Egypt were drawn into Group B at AFCON 2025, facing South Africa, Angola, and Zimbabwe. Finishing top two in the group saw them qualify directly for the knockout stage.

They beat Benin 3-1 in the Round of 16 after being taken to extra time, then defeated Ivory Coast 3-2 in the quarterfinals. A semifinal with Senegal awaits.

Group stage

Knockout stage

Liverpool schedule during AFCON

Matches Salah is guaranteed to miss

Matches Salah could potentially miss