Seven African players to watch at World Cup 2026

Seven African players to watch at World Cup 2026Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo is set to feature at his second World Cup, while Morocco playmaker Brahim Diaz and South Africa goalkeeper Ronwen Williams will make their bow at the global showpieceByRob StevensBBC Sport AfricaPublished7 minutes agoA record 10 African countries will take part in the 2026 Fifa World Cup after the finals were expanded to 48 teams, with a host of star names hoping to go all the way and lift the trophy.Morocco made history in Qatar four years ago by becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals.Cape Verde will make their tournament debut, while DR Congo return for the first time since 1974.BBC Sport Africa picks out seven players to keep an eye on in the United States, Mexico and Canada from 11 June to 19 July.Antoine Semenyo (Ghana)The London-born forward may have missed out on the Premier League title with Manchester City, but it was his stunning piece of skill which provided the winner in the FA Cup final against Chelsea last month.The 26-year-old is heading into the tournament off the back of his best ever league season in front of goal, with seven of his 17 efforts in the English top flight coming since his move to the Etihad Stadium in January.Semenyo could find himself carrying his nation's hopes, given that Ghana's other Premier League star, Tottenham's Mohammed Kudus, is out injured.The former Bournemouth man was part of Ghana's squad in 2022 but was used sparingly from the bench as the Black Stars suffered a group-stage exit.The West Africans missed out on the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) entirely, and Semenyo will be looking to score his first goal in a major tournament as Ghana face England, Croatia and Panama in Group L.Yan Diomande (Ivory Coast)Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Yan Diomande scored as Ivory Coast beat Burkina Faso 3-0 in the last 16 at Afcon 2025The Elephants, returning to the W...