Thursday 16 April 2026 – 02:34 AM
The countdown to the start of the competition has begun World Cup 2026, which is scheduled to be held in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico, with the participation of 48 teams for the first time in history.
Over the course of the various World Cup editions, a number of African players succeeded in leaving their mark on the history of the World Cup, led by Cameroonian legend Roger Milla, his compatriot Samuel Eto’o, and Ghanaian Asamoah Gyan, in addition to the Moroccan national team, which wrote history in the Qatar 2022 World Cup, after qualifying for the semi-finals in a historic achievement for the African continent.
With the start of the expanded edition of the World Cup approaching, which will witness the participation of 10 African teams for the first time in history, fans’ eyes are turning to a number of African players who are performing at remarkable levels in the largest leagues, as the International Federation of Association Football, FIFA, expects them to shine in the 2026 World Cup.
Mohamed Salah tops FIFA’s selection of the best Africans in the World Cup
FIFA highlighted the 10 most prominent African players nominated to shine in the 2026 World Cup, led by Mohamed Salah, captain of the Egyptian national team and Liverpool star.
FIFA said in a report on its website: Nine seasons with Liverpool were enough to place Mohamed Salah among the club’s most prominent legends, after he combined team titles with individual achievements, from the 2019 Champions League to the English Premier League twice, in addition to four Golden Boot awards, with a steady attacking presence and rare continuity.
He continued: This weight extends to the Egyptian national team, as the 33-year-old carries the offensive burden as a leader on and off the field, which was evident again in the recent African Cup of Nations by scoring 4 goals and assisting a goal, so that he remains the most prominent name that the Egyptian fans rely on in the North American finals, which may represent his last dance on the big stage.
In addition to Mohamed Salah, FIFA’s choices for African players who are likely to shine in the World Cup are as follows:
1- Mohamed Salah – Egypt national team – Liverpool, England.
2- Lily Foster – South Africa national team – Burnley, England.
3- Ibrahim Diaz – Moroccan national team – Spanish Real Madrid.
4- Amad Diallo – Côte d’Ivoire national team – Manchester United, England.
5- Hannibal Mejbri – Tunisia national team – Burnley, England.
6- Sidney Lopez Cabral – Cape Verde national team – Benfica of Portugal.
7- Sadio Mane – Senegal national team – Al-Nassr Saudi Arabia.
8- Amine Jouiri – Algeria national team – French Marseille.
9- Antoine Semenyu – Ghana national team – Manchester City, England.
10 Cedric Bakambu – Democratic Republic of the Congo national team – Real Betis of Spain.
