The 2022 FIFA World Cup is closing in fast, and the tournament will feature some of the best African countries as they take on the big stage in Qatar. The best of soccer is about to unfold as many qualified teams are ready to compete with their best players ready to show off.

Fans are waiting to see who will be the best African Player World Cup 2022, delivering an exciting performance in the tournament. African stars are known for their popularity in various domestic leagues, but now they will represent the continent even if their teams aren't sitting at the top of the soccer rankings to start off the group stages of the World Cup.

Cameroon, Ghana, Tunisia, Senegal and Morocco are the African countries that will play in this year's World Cup—these countries are known to be home to some of the best football stars. Here are the best African players in World Cup 2022 you should know of:

Cameroon

Cameroonians punched their ticket as the pride of Central Africa after pulling off a win against Algeria in the third round of the CAF qualifiers. The Indomitable Lions beat the Fennec Foxes in a 2-2 affair decided by the away-goals rule.

That massive win against The Greens proved to be one of their stunning performances over the years. Being qualified for the seventh time means a lot for the Cameroon World Cup campaign that has been hyped over the years.

Here are the top Cameroon FIFA World Cup players in 2022 to watch out for:

Vincent Aboubakar

Vincent Aboubakar's presence in the Cameroon national team significantly affects their morale in the coming games. The striker plays for the Al Nassr football club in the Saudi Professional League, and his role as the team captain among the Cameroon FIFA World Cup players says a lot about his prominence in the squad.

In 93 games for the Indomitable Lions, Aboubakar has scored 37 goals and has the chance to add more to his tally. He also played for the U20 squad back in the day and had four goals in 14 games.

André Onana

André Onana has been one of the Cameroon national team's most prominent defensive icons. He has played the majority of his career with the Dutch giant Ajax. The goalkeeper now plays for Inter Milan in the Serie A and has proven to be one of the brick walls that has kept the Italian giants even more formidable. 

In 32 games among the Cameroon World Cup players, Onana has proven himself well as a strong goalkeeper with 31 career saves, proving his worth as one of the top stars that can make a huge difference.

Karl Toko Ekambi

Karl Toko Ekambi is one of the key players in the Cameroon national team. The forward plays for Lyon in the Ligue 1 and is known for finding the best open looks in the game. At 30, Ekambi has the reliable experience that makes him a crucial piece.

Ekambi has played 50 games for Cameroon since joining the squad in 2015. He has scored 12 goals and has been a consistent team member, most notably praised for his performance in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Collins Fai

Another valued member of the Cameroon national team is Collins Fai, who plays both as a left-back and right-back. He plays for the Al-Tai Football Club in Saudi Arabia and is highly praised for his impressive ability to play on both sides.

Fai is known for his versatility, and many teams have been pleased with his services over his career. Since being a part of the Indomitable Lions in 2012, Fai has played 52 games for the team and provided defensive brilliance on the pitch.

Choupo Moting

Eric Choupo-Moting has the most experience among Cameroon FIFA World Cup players. The Bayern Munich forward is known well for his attacking prowess and has gained prominence in the Bundesliga in his stint with the reigning champions. 

As the heart and soul of the Cameroon national team, Choupo-Moting has played 68 games in his international career and racked up 18 goals.

Bet on Cameroon’s upcoming game against Switzerland

Morocco

Morocco earned its shot at the big stage when they beat DR Congo in the CAF Qualifiers with a 5-2 finish after two legs. The Moroccans are known for their hustle and tenacity plays. The pride of Northwest Africa stands tall and ready to take on the intense football competition.

The country has also qualified five times for the World Cup. Some say the 2022 Morocco World Cup campaign is as promising as in their 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998 and 2018 runs.

Here are the top players from Morocco:

Achraf Hakimi

Achraf Hakimi is a prominent icon among the Morocco World Cup players on the roster. The Paris Saint-Germain right-back is one of the few dual stars in Ligue 1 who can also shift into playing at the full-back position.

Hakimi is known to be one of the critical members of the Morocco national team, and he is set to make a bigger impact, especially as he is one of the squad's fastest runners.

Yassine Bounou

Yassine Bounou, more known as Bono in his stint with European teams, is one of the core members of the Morocco national team. The goalkeeper plays for Sevilla FC in La Liga and has proven his worth as a reliable defensive anchor that the squad can rely on.

The keeper has spent most of his football career in Spain, playing for teams such as Atletico Madrid, Girona, and Sevilla. Bono has been a part of the international squad since 2013 and has played 45 games for the team, especially in the FIFA World Cup 2018 and three Africa Cup of Nations.

Sofiane Boufal

Sofiane Boufal is known for his offensive prowess and ability to find open looks. The winger is one of the most popular Morocco World Cup players and has earned a strong reputation for his stint with Angers SCO in Ligue 1.

Aside from running in the wings, the Morocco national team has also opted to put him in the attacking midfielder spot. This has allowed him to set up his teammates well for big plays. Since joining the team in 2020, Boufal has played 31 games and has five goals.

Sofyan Amrabat

Sofyan Amrabat was born in the Netherlands to Moroccan parents. He has earned his place in the Morocco national team thanks to his incredible talent for finding open looks and getting crafty with the ball. Amrabat plays for ACF Fiorentina as a midfielder in the Italian Serie A.

Amrabat has been playing international games since 2017 and is the younger brother of fellow Morocco international player Nordin Amrabat. The midfielder has a total of 38 caps since joining the squad.

Romain Saïss

Romain Saïss is one of the standing veterans of the Morocco national team. The captain of the Atlas Lions is known well for his incredible talent on the defensive end. Saïss often shifts roles from being a defender to a midfielder on both ends of the pitch.

Saïss also plays for Beşiktaş J.K in the Turkish Süper Lig. Throughout his international career, the captain has a total of 65 caps and has one lone goal in a 3-1 group win over Togo back in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

Place your wagers on Morocco’s showdown against Belgium

Senegal

The Senegal World Cup campaign is one of the most exciting among many nations from Africa this edition. The hardened elites of West Africa managed to shock the fans during the CAF Qualifiers, where they beat Egypt via a penalty shootout. 

The Senegalese squad pushed for a 1-1 draw in their third-round match before outlasting the Egyptians 3-1 in the shootout. Being qualified for the FIFA World Cup means a lot for Senegal, as this marks the third time they have made it to the tournament since 2002 and 2018.

Here are the best players on the Senegal World Cup team:

Kalidou Koulibaly

Kalidou Koulibaly is one of the most experienced players on the Senegal national team. The centre-back plays for Chelsea FC in the Premier League and has been a force for the Blues. Koulibaly spent most of his career in France before playing for Napoli from 2014 before his move to Chelsea.

Since playing for Senegal in 2015, Koulibaly has played a total of 64 games for the team and has been a great core on the defensive side, helping them chase down and block out attacks if they ever punch through their line.

Idrissa Gueye

Another defensive star among the Senegal World Cup players to look out for is Idrissa Gueye. The defensive midfielder plays for Everton F.C. in the Premier League following his move from Paris Saint-Germain. He has also played for teams such as Aston Villa and Lille.

The Senegal national team has seen a lot of action from the star over the years. Since joining the squad in 2011, Gueye has already played a total of 97 games and scored seven goals to help them in their campaigns.

Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane has done a great job leading the Senegal national team to the promised land in the FIFA World Cup. Since leaving Liverpool, the forward/winger has given his services to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. He has been consistent with his pressing, dribbling and speed over the years.

Many fans claim that Mane is one of the all-time greatest African players in history. His 93 games with Senegal have been tied with his 34 goals on the big stage, and Mane is even one of the hot picks to make it to the top of the FIFA World Cup rankings of players.

Édouard Mendy

Aside from Sadio Mane, Édouard Mendy is one of the big reasons why fans are hyped for the Senegal national team. Known for his impressive defensive stops, he has been the perfect goalkeeper for Chelsea FC's endeavours in the Premier League and beyond.

If you are not convinced, Mendy has been named the UEFA Goalkeeper of the Year 2021 and the Best FIFA Goalkeeper of 2021. This makes him a massive asset for Senegal's hopes of winning the FIFA World Cup.

Nampalys Mendy

Nampalys Mendy is also one of the defensive aces for the Senegal national team. His prowess was seen well for Leicester City in the Premier League, and the defensive midfielder has proved his worth in making key tackles and blocks when needed.

Mendy was added to the national team last 2021, but he greatly impacted the squad's chances and has played 19 games. His impressive plays on the defensive end have earned him critical acclaim.

See the odds on Senegal’s chances to win against Ecuador

Ghana

Ghana was one of the surprising qualified teams for the FIFA World Cup. The squad came up with a promising win when they beat Nigeria in the third round of the CAF Qualifiers. The series ended at 1-1, but the away goal rule favoured the Ghanaians in their final game.

The pride of West Africa is home to some of the best FIFA World Cup 2022 African players, and they are keen to show that they have what it takes to win, even with most of the odds stacked against them. 

Here are the top stars in the Ghana players' World Cup roster:

Mohammed Kudus

Mohammed Kudus is one of the most efficient players in the Ghana national team. At 22, Kudus has been a beast for the team and has improved since suffering a meniscus injury back in 2020, coming back stronger than most fans expected. The midfielder plays for AFC Ajax in the Eredivisie.

Kudus has also played 18 games for the national team since 2019 and has racked up five goals. The squad could use his scoring and passing skills to make some of the best plays in their coming games.

Daniel Amartey

Daniel Amartey is another crucial star in the Ghana national team. He plays for Leicester City in the Premier League as a defender and sometimes shifts to being a midfielder when needed. He has been with the Foxes since 2016 and has become a core player for the club.

While he had a lot of success with Leicester City, Amartey has also played an enormous role in Ghana's international runs since 2015. The defender/midfielder has played 45 games for the squad.

André Ayew

André Ayew is the Ghana national team captain and is known well for being one of the best forwards in the country. More known as Dede Ayew, he plays as a winger for Al Sadd in the Qatar Stars League since making his move from Swansea City in 2021.

Ayew is the veteran in the squad. He has been a part of the Ghana national team since 2007 and has played a huge role in all of the Black Stars' pushes in the FIFA World Cup. He has played 109 games on the international stage and has scored 23 goals so far.

Iñaki Williams

Despite being born in Spain, Iñaki Williams chose to represent the Ghana national team in 2022. Williams plays as a forward for Athletic Bilbao in La Liga. He made his debut for the Spanish national team in 2016 and played one game.

In 282 games for Bilbao, Williams has proven to be one of the best in the squad. He has scored 57 goals for the team and is known for knocking down the winning goal to wrap up the club's massive campaign in the 2020–21 Supercopa de España. This makes him an essential addition to the Ghana World Cup run.

Abdul Fatawu Issahaku

Abdul Fatawu Issahaku is known for being the most outstanding prospect among young players in the Ghana national team. The midfielder plays for Sporting CP and can also shift forward, making him one of the most versatile pickups for Ghana in the World Cup.

Issahaku has scored goals in his career, and at 18, this looks promising for the rising star. Fans hope that he can show his full potential and help Ghana pull off some stunning wins in the coming group stages.

Check the odds on Ghana’s chances to steal a win against Portugal

Tunisia 

The victors of Northern Africa showed the world they have what it takes to stay consistent. The Tunisians have made it to the FIFA World Cup five times before this edition, and there is pressure on the country to come up with a big win in the group stages.

The Tunisia World Cup campaign has been exciting to watch. The team beat Mali with a 1-0 aggregate score to earn their spot on the big stage. Tunisia last qualified for the 2018 World Cup, and fans are hoping to see them make a deeper run now more than ever.

Youssef Msakni

Youssef Msakni is one of the most promising stars to take on the big stage for the Tunisia national team. The winger forward plays for Al Arabi FC in the Qatar Stars League. After playing seven games with the club, he is on loan from Al Duhail after his short stint with Eupen.

Msakni is a force of nature when it comes to scoring goals. The star has scored 17 goals in 84 games for the international team, which makes him a reliable option for Tunisia in the upcoming World Cup, especially with a highly competitive group stage. 

Wahbi Khazri

Wahbi Khazri is expected to impact as a veteran on the pitch substantially. Born in France, Khazri plays as an attacking midfielder or forward for Montpellier HSC in Ligue 1 and is known for finding the open man or scoring the ball when it matters most.

Khazri has been a part of the Tunisia national team since 2013 and has played a total of 71 games while also scoring 24 goals. He has the team's hot hand this time, which is why he can be a big piece among the Tunisia World Cup players.

Ellyes Skhiri

Ellyes Skhiri is known as a midfield general for the Tunisia national team. FC Koln in the Bundesliga, and his presence on the pitch, is all about making the best passes, and he is adept at setting up plays for his teammates and himself. The midfielder plays for 1.

Skhiri has been a part of the international squad since 2018. He has played a total of 45 games for Tunisia's runs and has scored three goals. Fans expect him to bring the fire he had in his games for Koln in the past few seasons.

Dylan Bronn

Dylan Bronn is known for his impressive stint with various French clubs before moving to Salernitana in the Italian Serie A. The defender has been called to the Tunisia national team again since his defensive prowess is needed more than ever.

Bronn is one of the few Tunisia players for the World Cup who has a lot of experience at the international level. The defensive anchor has played 35 games for the national squad and has two goals.

Aïssa Laïdouni

Aïssa Laïdouni is one of the latest additions to the Tunisia national team in their FIFA World Cup 2022 players roster and can be a dark horse star for the squad. The midfielder plays for the Ferencvárosi TC in the Nemzeti Bajnokság I, the Hungarian top-flight league. 

Laïdouni made his name by playing on loan for various French clubs before moving to Voluntari in Russia in 2018. He found his way to Ferencváros two years later and was added to the Tunisian squad after a year, playing 22 games as of the time of writing.

See how Tunisia will fare in their coming match against Denmark

African Players Set to Miss Out FIFA World Cup 2022

Fans have already set their eyes on players to watch the 2022 World Cup and are keen to see the best of many talents on the big stage. However, some most anticipated stars will not join Qatar's hyped competition. Their absence may not be a big deal, but some say it can affect their respective teams' World Cup campaigns.

Some of the FIFA World Cup African players who will not play on the big stage are the superstars usually expected to carry their teams with high-level performances. Here are some of the African players who will not play in the competition this year:

Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah is one of the FIFA World Cup 2022 best players that most fans have been looking for in the World Cup. The Liverpool FC forward failed to come through for the Egypt National Team when they lost to Senegal in the second leg of their matchup, which came down to a penalty shootout.

Salah is known for his effective scoring prowess in most Premier League games. However, he could not bring the win to his country's squad. The Egypt national team captain vowed to do better in the next edition and hopes that he can make up for his shortcomings in their loss to Senegal.

Riyad Mahrez

Riyad Mahrez's absence in the World Cup shows that lone talent isn't enough to bring home the win they have been looking for. The Manchester City winger was named both the Algerian Footballer of the Year and CAF's African Footballer of the Year more than once but could not bring his squad to the big stage.

While Mahrez has enjoyed significant strides in the Premier League, the Algeria national team was disappointed in their third-round loss to Cameroon in the CAF qualifiers. 

Victor Osimhen

Victor Osimhen's impressive runs with S.S.C. Napoli in the Serie A were wrapped up with solid feats, such as winning the Serie A Best Young Player 2021-22 award. However, the star could not bring Nigeria's national team into the World Cup when they were the heavy favourites.

The striker's scoring ability was unseen when they dropped their crucial showdown against Ghana. That 1-1 draw ended in the worst way possible, as the away goals rule took down their chances of winning.

Wilfred Ndidi

Wilfred Ndidi was supposed to be a critical factor in what could have been a win for the Nigerian national team. The Leicester City defensive midfielder has proven himself with many stops and big tackles, but those were missed when it mattered most for Nigeria.

Ndidi has been praised for his defensive prowess in the Premier League, and his ability to intercept even long-range strikes was unchallenged. 

Franck Kessie

Barcelona FC's midfield general Franck Kessie is also one of the biggest names among FIFA World Cup South Africa stars who will not make it to the competition. The Ivory Coast national team fell short of three points to punch their ticket in the third round, losing the spot to Cameroon.

The La Liga midfielder did not have the chance to lead his squad and prove their worth in the third stage, which is a disappointing end to their hopes of making it to the World Cup. Kessie will now have to watch his co-stars shine bright in their respective runs.

Watch out for the big World Cup performances from the top African players

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African players in the FIFA World Cup FAQs

Many have asked how African players have fared well on the big stage. Here are some of the queries that Sportsbet.io has compiled:

Who is the best African player in FIFA?

Mohamed Salah is praised as the best African player in history, and he is still in his prime in football as fans expect him to continue building on his legacy.

Who is the best African football player in the World Cup 2022?

With Salah out of the picture in the World Cup, Sadio Mane will likely bring home the award as Senegal is poised to make the deepest run among African teams under his leadership.

Players who are likely to play their last World Cup?

African stars are only expected to hang the shoe by the end of the competition. However, some hope Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Thomas Muller, Luis Suarez and many other veterans to see this as their last World Cup run.

For more World Cup and sports updates, visit Sportsbet.io

Words: Paul Daniel Flores

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