Hakimi, Osimhen and Guirassy lead African interest in 2026-27 Champions League

The 2026-27 Champions League will feature a strong African presence, with established stars and emerging internationals preparing to take centre stage in Europe.

The league-phase draw will take place on Thursday, 27 August, as clubs finalise their preparations for a competition involving 36 teams. The first matches in the new phase will be played on 8 September.

Achraf Hakimi will again be one of the continent’s leading representatives. The Morocco international begins the campaign as a two-time defending champion with Paris Saint-Germain and brings considerable Champions League experience to another European title challenge.

At 27, Hakimi remains one of the most prominent African players operating at the highest level of European football. Another influential run with Paris Saint-Germain would further strengthen his standing in the competition and add to his reputation as one of Africa’s most experienced performers in the tournament.

Serhou Guirassy is also expected to play a central role for Borussia Dortmund. The Guinea striker has already demonstrated his ability to score regularly on the European stage and enters the new campaign as one of the leading African scorers in recent Champions League history.

According to UEFA figures, Guirassy had scored 19 goals in the competition before the start of this edition. His goalscoring form will again be crucial to Borussia Dortmund’s hopes as they compete against Europe’s leading clubs.

Victor Osimhen will be another major focus at Galatasaray. The Nigeria striker has previous Champions League experience and has scored 16 goals in the competition, based on UEFA statistics.

Osimhen has already made an impressive start to the domestic season, scoring four goals and providing one assist in two league matches. That form has raised expectations that he could make another significant impact when Galatasaray return to the tournament’s 36-team league phase.

The campaign could carry particular importance for both the striker and his club. Galatasaray’s presence among the 36 league-phase teams gives Osimhen the opportunity to lead the Turkish side’s challenge against the strongest teams in European football.

At Real Madrid, Brahim Diaz will provide another African connection. The Morocco international remains part of a squad expected to compete for the final prize, although his role and playing time will be closely watched because of the intense competition for places within the Spanish club’s squad.

His Real Madrid team-mate Yan Diomande will also attract attention. The Cote d’Ivoire international is regarded as an important addition to the Merengues and could use his first season at the club to establish himself and win over the Spanish club’s supporters.

Beyond those prominent names, the new Champions League campaign will offer other African internationals the chance to increase their profile and take an important step in their careers.

The league phase will include young African players already attached to leading European clubs, as well as those experiencing the main stage of the competition for the first time. For them, the tournament will provide an opportunity to compete in high-profile matches and make themselves known to a wider audience.

The Champions League has repeatedly produced unexpected African breakthroughs, giving players from the continent a platform to emerge as important figures. The 2026-27 edition could provide another opportunity for new African heroes to announce themselves in Europe.