With just a few hours left before ushering in 2026, PSG are already looking ahead to a packed January schedule. After New Year’s celebrations on Wednesday night and a rest day on Thursday, Luis Enrique’s squad will return to training on Friday morning to prepare for Sunday night’s Paris derby against Paris FC (8:45 PM CET, Matchday 17).
The match will kick off an intense month for PSG, featuring seven fixtures, including two Paris derbies, the Trophée des Champions against Marseille, and two Champions League matches.
At Least Five Confirmed Absentees for PSG
For the first PSG–Paris FC derby, Luis Enrique will be without at least five players, and possibly more.
Two absences are guaranteed due to the Africa Cup of Nations:
- Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
- Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal), who was decisive again against Benin on Tuesday night
Three players are also ruled out through injury:
- Matvey Safonov
- Lee Kang-in
- Quentin Ndjantou
There is also uncertainty surrounding David Boly, who picked up an ankle injury against Fontenay on December 20 and did not take part in Tuesday’s training session.
Youngsters Mathis Jangeal and Noham Kamara, who featured against Fontenay before the break, were also absent from first-team training but cannot truly be considered missing players given their current squad status.
Aside from these cases, all other PSG players are available, and no suspensions are expected for Sunday.
Paris FC Also Hit Hard by AFCON
Promoted to Ligue 1 this season and currently sitting 14th, Paris FC will also be heavily affected by absences — all due to AFCON.
Five starters will miss the derby:
- Samir Chergui (Algeria)
- Ilan Kebbal (Algeria)
- Jean-Philippe Krasso (Ivory Coast)
- Moses Simon (Nigeria)
- Hamari Traoré (Mali)
A major blow for coach Stéphane Gilli, though he took a philosophical stance before the break:
“At the start of the season, we didn’t expect to have so many international call-ups.
Samir had never been selected by Algeria, Ilan had one appearance years ago, and since September he’s been called up regularly.
Hamari is back with Mali after a year and a half away.
But in a way, it’s rewarding for the club, and I’m proud.”
Additional Injury Concerns for Paris FC
Paris FC also have three major injury doubts:
- Sofiane Alakouch (right-back), yet to play this season
- Pierre-Yves Hamel (forward), limited to two appearances
- Pierre Lees-Melou, sidelined since November 23 with a tibia injury and not yet back in full training
All three are unlikely to feature on Sunday.
On the positive side for Paris FC, Kevin Trapp and Jonathan Ikoné are both fit to face their former club.
Absentees List (As of J-4)
AFCON (7):
Hakimi, Mbaye, Chergui, Kebbal, Krasso, Traoré, Simon
Injured (3):
Safonov, Ndjantou, Lee Kang-in
Doubts (4):
Boly, Alakouch, Hamel, Lees-Melou
With absences piling up on both sides, Sunday’s derby may look very different from what was expected — but with January just beginning, PSG’s depth will be tested immediately.