The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway this week, with 48 nations set to battle for football’s most prestigious trophy in the largest edition of the tournament ever staged. The competition will also make history as the first World Cup to be co-hosted by three countries – the United States, Mexico and Canada.
As always, Africa will be represented by several talented stars, who will be aiming to play key roles for their nations on the biggest stage in world football.
Here are the five most valuable African footballers set to feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Yan Diomande (€90 million)
Top of this list is Ivory Coast and RB Leipzig youngster Yan Diomande, who is the most valuable African footballer in the world and has a market value of €90 million.
The 19-year-old has enjoyed a remarkable rise in his career since moving to Germany last summer and is poised for a move to a bigger club this summer, with Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain considering a transfer.
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Diomande shone for Ivory Coast at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament and will be eyeing another inspiring display this time around as he prepares to make his debut against Ecuador. The Elephants will then face Germany and Curacao in group E, hoping to progress to the next round.
Achraf Hakimi (€80 million)
Reigning African Footballer of the Year award winner Achraf Hakimi stands as the second most valuable African footballer at the World Cup with a market value of €80 million.
The PSG right-back was an important part of Morocco’s history-making run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they became the first country from the continent to reach the last four.
The Atlas Lions will open their campaign against Brazil on Saturday, before also facing Scotland and Haiti, as they eye another deep run at the tournament.
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Antoine Semenyo (€80 million)
Ghanaian forward Antoine Semenyo ranks joint second with a market value of around €80 million, as he prepares to lead the line for Ghana at the 2026 World Cup tournament.
The 26-year-old has enjoyed a stunning rise in his career, and even sealed a transfer from Bournemouth to Manchester City in January, where he won the FA Cup and EFL Cup last season.
Semenyo will be hoping to play a major role in attack for the Black Stars, when they face Panama, Croatia and England in the group stage, beginning their campaign against the latter on June 18.
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Iliman Ndiaye (€55 million)
Senegalese winger Iliman Ndiaye has a market value of around €55 million and ranks as the fourth most valuable African footballer at the mundial in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The Everton forward will be hoping to impress in a star-studded Senegalese team alongside Sadio Mane, Ibrahim Mbaye and Nicolas Jackson.
The Lions of Teranga have been placed in a tough group and will be looking to avoid a shock group stage exit, as they will face two-time champions France, Norway and Iraq in the group.
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Omar Marmoush (€50 million)
Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush completes this list as he is valued at €50 million and will be hoping for a bigger role alongside Mohamed Salah to help Egypt beyond the Round of 16 for the first time in their history.
The Manchester City forward will make his debut against Belgium next Monday, before the Pharaohs also face New Zealand and Asian side Iran, hoping to seal progress to the next round and avoid elimination from the group stages.
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