Spurs receive massive boost as Mohammed Kudus will not travel to AFCON.
Tottenham Hotspur can count their blessings after Ghana’s failure to qualify for the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations spared them from losing Mohammed Kudus during the crucial festive period.
The biennial tournament kicks off in Morocco on December 21 and runs until January 18, 2026, meaning Africa’s biggest talents will miss key domestic and European fixtures during the busiest stretch of the Premier League calendar.
AFCON’s scheduling will see clubs lose star names for the hectic festive period including derbies and potential title-decisive encounters. Depending on how deep players progress into the tournament, clubs could see their African representatives miss Champions League and Europa League fixtures as well as FA Cup and Carabao Cup matches.
Tottenham Hotspur dodge major bullet
For Tottenham, the situation could have been significantly worse. Yves Bissouma would have featured for Mali had an ankle injury not ruled him out, while Pape Sarr is expected to represent Senegal during the tournament.
However, Ghana’s failure to qualify represents a massive stroke of fortune for Thomas Frank. Kudus has been one of Tottenham’s few bright spots this season following his summer arrival from West Ham, and losing him for up to a month would have devastated the already struggling Lilywhites.
Kudus’ availability ensures Frank will have at least one consistent attacking threat during a period when Tottenham face six crucial fixtures.
Tottenham vs Liverpool, December 20
Crystal Palace vs Tottenham, December 27
Brentford vs Tottenham, December 30
Tottenham vs Sunderland, January 3
Bournemouth vs Tottenham, January 7
West Ham vs Tottenham, January 17
Mohammed Kudus availability crucial for struggling Spurs
The Ghanaian winger’s continued presence could prove pivotal for a Tottenham side desperately searching for consistency. Currently languishing in 10th place following Saturday’s humiliating 2-1 home defeat to Fulham, Frank cannot afford to lose any more attacking options.
Kudus has provided energy and creativity in a team starved of both qualities for much of the campaign. His ability to operate across multiple positions in the final third offers tactical flexibility that Frank has struggled to find elsewhere in his squad.
For once, fortune has smiled on Tottenham. Ghana’s qualification failure provides Frank with stability during a month where results will define his tenure. Whether he can capitalize on this stroke of luck remains to be seen, but having Kudus available represents a rare positive development in what has been a deeply troubling season.