Trophee Kopa 2026: Three African prospects shortlisted among 10 nominees

France Football has announced the 10 players in contention for the 2026 Trophee Kopa, with African football represented by Yan Diomande, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Ibrahim Maza.

The shortlist, revealed on 8 September 2026, includes three of the continent’s most promising young talents. Diomande is named as an Ivorian candidate, Bouaddi as a Moroccan nominee and Maza as the representative of Algeria.

They will compete for the prestigious individual award alongside seven other emerging players from across Europe. The full list also features Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Kerim Alajbegovic, Spain’s Pau Cubarsi and Lamine Yamal, Germany’s Lennart Karl, France’s Eli Junior Kroupi and Warren Zaire-Emery, and Switzerland’s Johan Manzambi.

The selection places Diomande, Bouaddi and Maza among the leading young prospects in world football. Their inclusion gives the three players the opportunity to measure themselves against a group regarded as the next generation of elite talent.

The shortlist also highlights the continuing presence of African players in the race for major individual recognition. Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco and Algeria are each represented, meaning three different African nations feature among the 10 nominees for the 2026 award.

Diomande, Bouaddi and Maza will now await the decision on who succeeds the most recent Trophee Kopa winner. The identity of the next recipient remains undecided, with all 10 shortlisted players still in contention.

The nominees are:

– Kerim Alajbegovic Bosnia and Herzegovina – Pau Cubarsi Spain – Yan Diomande Cote d’Ivoire – Lennart Karl Germany – Eli Junior Kroupi France – Ayyoub Bouaddi Morocco – Lamine Yamal Spain – Johan Manzambi Switzerland – Ibrahim Maza Algeria – Warren Zaire-Emery France

The 2026 shortlist contains 10 nominees in total, including three African players: Diomande, Bouaddi and Maza. France Football’s announcement sets up a contest between a varied group of young footballers from Europe and Africa, with the final outcome still to be determined.

The central question is now which of these 10 talents will be judged worthy of winning the Trophee Kopa 2026 and taking over from the previous laureate.