The World Cup always throws up a new star or two, but often times it is the stellar and seasoned campaigners who keep the spotlight, and Africa’s hopes at next month’s tournament in North America will still rest firmly on the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane.
With 10 countries in the 48-team field for the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, there is plenty of opportunity for an African star to emerge and this is SuperSport.com’s selection of players who could make a major impression at the 2026 finals in Canada, Mexico and the United States.
ALI ABDI
At the age of 32, Abdi does not fit your typical profile of a star performer from Africa, but he will be the player that Tunisia will turn to lead them in a tough group, which sees them up against Japan, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Based at French club Nice, Abdi had an outstanding Cup of Nations tournament at the turn of the year as a marauding left back and was a menace every time he ventured into the opposing half. He played at the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022, an experience which will also stand him in good stead.
BRAHIM DIAZ
Morocco’s talisman should have won them the Cup of Nations in January with the last-gasp penalty in the final against Senegal, but arrogantly tried a ‘Panenka’ and botched it. It was an extraordinary and frankly mad decision by Diaz, with so much at stake, and although he received messages of support after Senegal went on to win the final, there is no doubt Morocco fans feel he cost them a genuine title. The World Cup will be the forum for Diaz to redeem himself and offer a proper apology to the fans with his on field exploits.
YAN DIOMANDE
At the age of 14, he departed his home in Ivory Coast to move to the USA, where he honed his footballing talent at a private academy in Dayton Beach. From there, Diomande got a transfer to Spain and was last season playing for Leganes before a move to RB Leipzig, the Bundesliga club that nurtures promising talent. Diomande will only turn 20 in November but is already emerging as a future African superstar, having come through the rigours of a first season in Germany with flying colours.
DAILON LIVRAMENTO
It was the Dutch-born Livramento who got the vital goals for the Cape Verde to win a first ever qualifying place at the World Cup. He is one of the many players from the Cape Verdian neighbourhood in Rotterdam to play for the small island nation. He turned 25 last week and has spent the last season getting valuable experience and playing time in Portugal on loan from Serie A club Verona.
OMAR MARMOUSH
It has not been the best of seasons at club level for Marmoush, who moved to Manchester City from the German Bundesliga but has not featured as much as he would have liked in the Premier League campaign. That likely means the 27-year-old is in peak condition for the World Cup, where his running is going to be key to Egypt’s hopes, in tandem with the form of veteran Salah. The two form a potentially deadly duo upfront for the Pharaohs.
IBRAHIM MAZA
The German-born talent emerged as Algeria’s top performer at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco at the start of the year, earning the nickname ‘Mazadona’ from the fans for his silky skills. Still only 20, he was signed at the start of the season by Bayer Leverkusen from Hertha Berlin and proved an astute purchase. He was only 17 when he made his Bundesliga debut, brought on by Hertha in a crunch clash against Bayern Munich.
IBRAHIM MBAYE
The powerful teenage winger made his Senegal debut against Brazil in November, only two months after playing for France at under-18 level, having already debuted for Paris St Germain in the previous campaign. Such was his quick ascent to the first team that at the age of 17, he was an unused sub on the bench at last year’s Champions League final where PSG thrashed Inter Milan. In Morocco, at the Cup of Nations, Senegal used him in all but one of their seven games as an impact sub and he came on to dazzle with his speed and skills and caused untold havoc to the opposing defenders.
RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG
Orlando Pirates could have a bevy of world clubs lining up to sign the 21-year-old sensation if he can replicate his club form on the World Cup stage and use the opportunity to its maximum. There is no better forum to sell your wares, but while Mofokeng has incredible talent and technical skills, his slight frame means that he is often muscled out of games. If Bafana Bafana’s opponents do their homework properly, they will look to intimidate the youngster, and his future at a top European club will depend on how he responds.
ANTOINE SEMENYO
The Manchester City forward said it was an 'easy decision' to choose to play for Ghana ahead of England and has never looked back after committing to the Black Stars four years ago. "Ghana came at 20, 21?" he said, "and I can't turn down playing first team for Ghana, so it was such an easy decision. English-born Semenyo faces the land of his birth in Group L in Boston, where he could further justify the decision Pep Guardiola took to sign him from Bournemouth.
YOANNE WISSA
The French-born, English-based left-sided attacker missed the Cup of Nations in Morocco through injury and battled along with his Newcastle United teammates this past season but is going to be the kingpin for the Democratic Republic of Congo, on their return to the finals after a half-century wait. The 29-year-old has a strong combination with veteran centre forward Cedric Bakumbu that helped the Leopards to qualify against the odds.
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