From Ghana’s Antoine Semenyo to Cape Verde debutant Roberto Lopes, a diverse cast of African talent will seek to build on Morocco’s historic semi-final run when the expanded 48-team tournament kicks off in North America.
A record ten African nations will compete at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the largest contingent from the continent in the tournament’s history, as the finals expand from 32 to 48 teams across the United States, Mexico and Canada from 11 June to 19 July.
Cape Verde makes its tournament debut, while the Democratic Republic of Congo returns for the first time since 1974. Morocco, which became the first African side to reach the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago, leads a contingent that includes Ghana, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Senegal, Egypt, Tunisia and Nigeria.
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As the continent aims to go further than ever before, several star players will carry the weight of national expectation. ASJ Sport has identified seven names likely to define African fortunes at the tournament.
Antoine Semenyo carries Ghanaian hopes after a transformative season. The London-born forward moved to Manchester City in January and scored seven Premier League goals, then delivered the winning assist in the FA Cup final against Chelsea. With Tottenham’s Mohammed Kudus sidelined through injury, the 26-year-old is expected to lead an attack facing England, Croatia and Panama in Group L. Semenyo was used sparingly from the bench during Ghana’s group-stage exit in 2022 and has yet to score in a major tournament.
Ivory Coast’s Yan Diomande arrives as the Bundesliga’s best young player. The 19-year-old RB Leipzig forward scored 12 goals and provided eight assists, winning Rookie of the Season honours. He attempted more dribbles and won more duels than any other player in Germany’s top flight. The Elephants, back at the World Cup for the first time since 2014, face Germany, Ecuador and debutants Curacao in Group E.
South Africa captain Ronwen Williams brings penalty-saving heroics and Champions League pedigree. The 34-year-old Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper stopped four spot kicks in a shootout against Cape Verde at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations and recently clinched the African Champions League title. Bafana Bafana, returning to the finals for the first time since hosting in 2010, have never progressed past the group stage. They open against co-hosts Mexico on 11 June before facing Czech Republic and South Korea.
Cape Verde’s Roberto Lopes represents one of the tournament’s most remarkable stories. The Dublin-born Shamrock Rovers centre-back was first approached via LinkedIn, initially ignoring the message because it was in Portuguese. He debuted in 2019 and missed only one qualifying game as the Atlantic archipelago secured its first finals appearance. Cape Verde faces Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia in Group H.
An analyst speaking to Accra Street Journal noted that the expanded format has given smaller footballing nations a realistic pathway to the world stage, with Cape Verde’s qualification representing a generational achievement for the island nation of under 600,000 people.
Morocco’s Brahim Diaz seeks atonement after Afcon 2025 heartbreak. The Real Madrid playmaker scored five goals as hosts reached the final, but his Panenka penalty attempt deep in stoppage time was saved by Senegal’s Edouard Mendy. Senegal won 1-0, though an appeals board subsequently awarded Morocco the title, a decision Senegal has taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Diaz, a former Spain Under-21 international, faces Brazil, Scotland and Haiti in Group C.
Ismaila Sarr heads to his third World Cup after a career-best season. The 28-year-old Crystal Palace winger scored 21 goals, including nine in the UEFA Conference League to help the Eagles win their first European trophy. Senegal, the reigning African champions on the pitch, face France, Norway and Iraq in Group I. The Teranga Lions famously beat holders France 1-0 on their 2002 debut.
Egypt’s Omar Marmoush aims to break the Pharaohs’ World Cup win drought. The 27-year-old Manchester City forward started only eight Premier League games but helped Guardiola’s side secure the League Cup and FA Cup. Egypt, the first African nation to participate in the World Cup, has never won a match at the finals across appearances in 1934, 1990 and 2018. With captain Mohamed Salah returning from injury, much depends on Marmoush, who scored twice at Afcon 2025 as Egypt finished fourth.
Source: Accra Street Journal
Last Updated on June 8, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu
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Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.
