With the FIFA World Cup entering the quarter-final stage, Africa has once again underlined its growing stature on football’s biggest stage.
Morocco have continued their remarkable rise by reaching another World Cup quarter-final, while DR Congo, Senegal and Cape Verde have all enjoyed memorable campaigns built on outstanding individual performances.
Based on performances up to the last eight, this is Footy-Africa’s African Team of the Tournament.
Goalkeeper
Vozinha (Cape Verde)
At 40 years old, Vozinha has become one of the stories of the tournament. The veteran goalkeeper inspired Cape Verde’s historic World Cup run with a string of exceptional performances, including seven saves against Spain before another heroic display in the Round of 32.
His leadership, reflexes and consistency have made him Africa’s standout goalkeeper at the tournament. He departed the tournament with 18 saves.
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Defence
Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)
Achraf Hakimi has once again demonstrated why he is regarded as Africa’s premier footballer. The Morocco captain has contributed one goal and two assists in four matches, while remaining one of the tournament’s most complete full-backs. His attacking influence, recovery pace and leadership have been central to Morocco’s impressive run.
Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo)
Chancel Mbemba has enjoyed another outstanding World Cup. The experienced defender has marshalled DR Congo’s defence with authority while also contributing one crucial assist, combining his aerial dominance with calmness in possession and outstanding defensive organisation. He’s one of the reasons Congo Democratic Republic recorded a earned a against a Cristiano Ronaldo led Portugal.
Issa Diop (Morocco)
Issa Diop has emerged as one of Morocco’s heroes. The centre-back not only helped anchor one of the tournament’s strongest defences but also produced one of the defining moments of Morocco’s campaign, rising in stoppage time to score a dramatic equalising header against the Netherlands and force the Round of 32 tie into extra time before the Atlas Lions progressed on penalties.
Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo)
Arthur Masuaku has been a model of consistency on the left flank. Strong in one-on-one defending and composed in possession, the experienced full-back has provided balance to DR Congo’s defence while regularly supporting attacks with dangerous deliveries into the penalty area.
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Midfield
Pape Gueye (Senegal)
Pape Gueye has been the complete midfield performer. Alongside his tireless defensive work and ability to control possession, he has made a decisive impact in the final third, contributing two goals and one assist during Senegal’s run to the knockout stages. One of his goals against Iraq was clocked at an impressive 131.9 km/h, setting the record for the fastest shot/goal velocity at the tournament.
Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco)
Still only a teenager, Ayyoub Bouaddi has announced himself on the world stage with remarkable composure. The midfielder has dictated play with intelligence beyond his years, establishing himself as one of the breakout stars of the tournament and a key figure in Morocco’s midfield.
Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco)
Azzedine Ounahi earns his place after another influential World Cup campaign. His creativity, energy and ability to break opposition lines have been vital to Morocco’s attacking play, highlighted by his match-winning brace against Canada in the Round of 16.
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Attack
Ismael Saibari (Morocco)
Ismael Saibari has been one of the revelations of the tournament. Operating across the front line, he has combined intelligent movement with clinical finishing to score three goals, giving Morocco another potent attacking weapon.
Yoane Wissa (DR Congo)
Yoane Wissa has carried DR Congo’s attacking hopes with distinction despite coming into the tournament with questions over his fitness. His three goals were crucial to his country’s impressive World Cup campaign, with his movement and composure in front of goal consistently troubling opposition defences. His go against Portugal was his nation’s first-ever goal in the tournament’s history.
Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal)
No African forward has produced more decisive moments than Ismaïla Sarr. The Senegal winger has scored four goals, becoming his country’s all-time leading World Cup goalscorer. His pace, direct running and clinical finishing have made him one of the standout attackers of the tournament.
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African Team of the World Cup (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper: Vozinha (Cape Verde)
Defenders: Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo), Issa Diop (Morocco), Arthur Masuaku (DR Congo)
Midfielders: Pape Gueye (Senegal), Ayyoub Bouaddi (Morocco), Azzedine Ounahi (Morocco)
Forwards: Ismael Saibari (Morocco), Yoane Wissa (DR Congo), Ismaïla Sarr (Senegal)
Morocco provide five players in the side after another landmark World Cup campaign, with DR Congo contributing three representatives, Senegal two and Cape Verde one. Between them, the XI has produced 15 goals, four assists and countless match-defining performances, reflecting the quality and depth of African football at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
