FEATURE: Africa’s brightest young stars heading to the 2026 World Cup

Africa’s established stars will be seeking to make a name for themselves at the 2026 World Cup, but there will be a host of youngsters among the 10 qualified nations from the continent who will have the same ambitions.

Africa always produces exciting talent, and there is a new wave of top stars coming through who could use the platform offered by the World Cup to take their game to the next level.

We pick 10 players aged 21 or under from African teams who can be real stars of the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

ELIESSE BEN SEGHIR (MOROCCO)

Age: 21

Club: Bayer Leverkusen

Ben Seghir is seen as arguably the brightest young star in the Moroccan set-up, having had an excellent season on the left wing for Bayer Leverkusen in the German Bundesliga.

Born in France, he started at Monaco before moving to Germany at the start of this season and has worked his way into contention for a starting berth.

He has featured in the Uefa Champions League and has featured in seven of Morocco’s 10 games in the qualifiers for the World Cup.

YAN DIOMANDE (IVORY COAST)

Age: 19

Club: RB Leipzig

Another left winger who has been in incredible form in the Bundesliga this season with RB Leipzig, managing over 20 goal contributions in all competitions.

He was signed from Leganés in Spain at the start of the campaign and became an instant regular with his speed and power.

Born in Abidjan, he moved to the United States and developed there before joining Leganés in November 2025, and months later, was on the move again to Germany.

He is one of the most exciting forwards in any African side at the moment and has a huge future in the game.

EL HADJI MALICK DIOUF (SENEGAL)

Age: 21

Club: West Ham United

It might have been a season of struggle for West Ham United, but one of their bright sparks has been left-back Diouf.

The 21-year-old played in the final of the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year and was a key man for the side throughout the tournament.

Signed from Slavia Prague at the start of the season, he has huge potential with excellent physical attributes and has been a real find for club and country.

IBRAHIM MAZA (ALGERIA)

Age: 20

Club: Bayer Leverkusen

Another North African youngster at Leverkusen, Maza was actually born in Berlin and came through the ranks at local side Hertha.

He moved to Leverkusen at the start of this campaign and has been a big part of their season, topping 10 goal contributions in all competitions, including the Champions League.

He made his Algeria debut in 2025 and was a big part of their team at the Africa Cup of Nations and in the latter stages of the World Cup qualifiers.

He plays as an attacking midfielder behind the strikers.

IBRAHIM MBAYE (SENEGAL)

Age: 18

Club: Paris Saint-Germain

The French-born right winger has had a breakthrough season with Paris Saint-Germain and also with the Senegal national team, where he is seen as a big future star.

He came through the youth system in Paris and made his debut at the start of last season, but it was only really in this campaign that he nailed down a regular spot.

He has been hugely impressive and also featured in six of Senegal’s games at the Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco, including the final.

MBEKEZELI MBOKAZI (SOUTH AFRICA)

Age: 20

Club: Chicago Fire

The centre-back is hard as nails and, having burst onto the scene a little over a year ago, has established himself as a regular for club and country.

He made his Orlando Pirates debut in early 2025 and, within a few months, was called up to the South African national team, and from his first day in camp was first-choice in the heart of defence.

He has since signed for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer as he makes the next step in his career, but a strong World Cup could see him move again to a top European league.

RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG (SOUTH AFRICA)

Age: 21

Club: Orlando Pirates

The playmaker features as a winger for his South African club Orlando Pirates, but Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos insists he is rather a ‘number 10’ operating behind the striker.

He has skill and vision aplenty and has turned into a prolific scorer and creator of goals, having topped 20 goal contributions in the 2025-26 season.

He will vie for a place in the Bafana side with the vastly experienced Themba Zwane, so he may not start, but will be a big impact player off the bench.

NOAH SADIKI (DR CONGO)

Age: 21

Club: Sunderland

Sadiki has been a massive player for Sunderland on their return to the Premier League and also played a big part in the Democratic Republic of Congo qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1974.

Having been born in Brussels, Sadiki is a former Belgian youth international midfielder but switched his allegiance to DR Congo in 2023, making his debut a year later.

He came through the ranks at top Belgian club Anderlecht before helping Union Saint-Gilloise to the league title in 2024-25.

That prompted Sunderland to move for one of the top young midfield talents in Europe.

CHEMSDINE TALBI (MOROCCO)

Age: 21

Club: Sunderland

Another Belgian-born player who has excelled at Sunderland this season, Talbi arrived from Club Brugge at the start of the campaign.

He was also a former Belgium youth international who switched to Morocco last year, and featured for them at the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil.

In many ways, he shows the path for South African youngster Shandre Campbell, who is currently part of the Club Brugge set-up.

CALEB YIRENKYI (GHANA)

Age: 20

Club: Nordsjælland

Yirenkyi was discovered through the Right to Dream Academy in Ghana and earned a place at Nordsjælland in 2024.

He has drawn comparisons with former Black Stars legend Michael Essien, and 2025 was a real breakthrough year for club and country.

He has been a regular for Nordsjælland since breaking into their first team and has also become one of the first names on the teamsheet for Ghana.

He must convince new coach Carlos Queiroz he can be the man at the World Cup, but he has certainly staked a massive claim with a superb season in Europe.