Nigeria, Dec. 20 -- When the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations kicks off in Morocco, the fingerprints of French football will be everywhere. From the opening group games to the business end of the tournament, Ligue 1 is set to cast the longest shadow, emerging as the single most influential league at Africa's biggest football stage.

With 51 players called up from Ligue 1 clubs alone, France's top flight will be the most represented league at AFCON 2025, comfortably ahead of its European peers. In a tournament defined by fine margins, tactical depth and physical intensity, this overwhelming presence is more than a statistic; it is a competitive advantage.

At the heart of Ligue 1's dominance is Senegal. The former African champions boast nine pl...