The UEFA Europa League is the second biggest European club competition behind the Champions League and the league phase of the 2026-27 edition gets underway today as 36 clubs battle to become champions at the end of the season.
Several African footballers will be in action over the course of the campaign as they aim to deliver impressive performances and help their clubs achieve success in the competition.
Here are five African players who will be looking to impress in the Europa League this season.
Samuel Chukwueze (AC Milan)
Super Eagles forward Samuel Chukwueze headlines the list of African footballers that will feature in the Europa League this season.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed a brilliant start to the season under Ruben Amorim at AC Milan, featuring in a new wing-back role and will be hoping to help them achieve success on the European scene.
Chukwueze has featured in 24 Europa League games in his career and will be aiming for another inspiring display when AC Milan began their campaign against Benfica later tonight at San Siro.
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Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace)
Senegalese forward Ismaila Sarr is another African star who will be hoping for a great display in the Europa League this season.
The 28-year-old enjoyed a very impressive individual campaign last season for Crystal Palace in the Conference League, finishing as the top scorer and also the best player as the Premier League side secured a first-ever European title.
He was linked with an exit during the summer, although the move did not materialize and he was forced to remain at the Eagles. Sarr will now be hoping to put that failed transfer behind him and focus on helping Crystal Palace achieve success once more, beginning with their opening clash against Polish side Lech Poznan on Thursday night.
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Edmond Tapsoba (Bayer Leverkusen)
Burkina Faso defender Edmond Tapsoba returns to the Europa League with Bayer Leverkusen and will be aiming to help them seal a second title.
The experienced centre-back was part of the famous side that reached the final in 2023, before eventually losing to Atalanta in the final.
Tapsoba has continued to take on a more serious role at the club, and his previous experience in the tournament could be very important if Bayer Leverkusen are to go far in the competition. The Bundesliga side begin their campaign against Slovenian side Celje on Wednesday night.
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Pape Matar Sarr (Juventus)
Senegalese midfielder Pape Matar Sarr will wear the colours of Juventus in the Europa League this season. The Bianconeri missed out on a place in the Champions League last season and will now kickoff their campaign with a clash against NEC on Thursday.
Sarr, meanwhile, joined them in the summer transfer window on a loan deal after falling out of favour at Tottenham Hotspur.
The midfielder won the Europa League with Spurs in 2025, and that experience could prove important for Juventus if they are to stand a chance of also winning the title.
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Noah Sadiki (Sunderland)
Premier League side Sunderland qualified for the Europa League after a dramatic final day in the English top flight last season, sealing a return to the European stage for the first time in 53 years.
Noah Sadiki was an influential part of the team during the season and will be hoping to inspire them once again on the big stage.
The Black Cats’ reward is an opening matchday fixture against Dutch side AZ Alkmaar as they aim to begin the European season with a favourable result in front of their fans.
