FIFA hails African standouts from 2026 World Cup as four Arab players make elite list

The official FIFA website has highlighted four Arab players among its selection of the 10 outstanding African performers at the 2026 World Cup, after a tournament in which teams from the continent produced several eye-catching displays.

FIFA’s feature focused on individuals who played decisive roles for their national sides in North America, underlining how African players influenced the competition across all areas of the pitch.

Veteran Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha was among those singled out, having attracted widespread praise for his performances. His displays between the posts were key to Cape Verde’s strong showing at the tournament, with his shot-stopping and command of the area earning him a place on the list.

Ivory Coast duo shine in historic run

The list also included a pair of Ivory Coast players, with Yan Diomande and Amad Diallo both recognised after helping the “Elephants” reach the last 16 of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

Their contributions were described as central to Ivory Coast’s breakthrough into the knockout phase, as the West Africans converted promising performances into a tangible milestone on the global stage.

Morocco’s midfield and attacking flair recognised

Two members of Morocco’s squad were named among FIFA’s top African performers: Azzedine Ounahi and Ismael Saibari.

Ounahi was selected after continuing his impressive form in midfield, dictating play and maintaining the high standards he has shown in recent major tournaments for the Atlas Lions.

Saibari, meanwhile, achieved a notable piece of World Cup history. He became the first African player ever to score in all of his country’s group-stage matches at a single World Cup. That scoring run helped him finish the tournament among the top three African goalscorers overall.

Senegal forwards and Egypt goalkeeper stand out

Senegal were represented on the list by Ismaila Sarr and Pape Gueye. Sarr ended the 2026 World Cup as the continent’s top scorer with four goals, underlining his importance in the final third and his status as one of Africa’s most effective attacking threats at the tournament.

Gueye was highlighted for his standout performance against Iraq, a match in which his influence in midfield and overall contribution caught FIFA’s attention and earned him a place among the continent’s top 10.

Egypt’s goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir was also included after producing a series of notable saves. His most high-profile intervention came in the last 16, when he saved a penalty from Lionel Messi, a moment that drew global attention and underpinned his reputation as one of Africa’s leading goalkeepers at the finals.

Wissa and Mazza complete the top 10

The remaining places were filled by Yoane Wissa of DR Congo and Algeria’s Ibrahim Mazza, both recognised for major individual contributions to their teams’ campaigns.

Wissa helped guide the Democratic Republic of Congo into the knockout stages of the World Cup for the first time, scoring twice in a crucial match against Uzbekistan. His brace was pivotal in securing progress and marked a historic achievement for the Central African nation.

Mazza, meanwhile, topped the statistics for successful dribbles among all players during the group phase. He completed 12 successful dribbles in the group stage and finished the tournament with a total of 14, one of the highest tallies recorded at the 2026 World Cup. His ability to beat opponents consistently was a defining feature of his performances for Algeria.

By spotlighting these 10 players, FIFA’s official website underlined both the historic milestones and the individual brilliance that characterised Africa’s involvement at the 2026 World Cup, with Arab footballers playing a prominent role in the continent’s success.