Champions League: 72 African players on the starting line

Seventy-two African players are on the starting line for the 2026-2027 UEFA Champions League. Spread across 31 of the 36 clubs involved, they represent 20 nationalities and will take part in the league phase.

Africa will be well represented in the new edition of the Champions League. A total of 72 players of African nationality feature on the A lists of the 36 clubs involved in the 2026-2027 league phase, following a review of the squads published by UEFA and the exclusion of players registered on the B list.

These players are spread across several of Europe’s biggest clubs. Some will represent teams accustomed to continental competition, while others will be making their Champions League debut or returning to the competition with their new club.

Osimhen, Hakimi, Lookman, Jackson… Africa’s leading stars ready for the challenge

Several of the African game’s biggest names will be involved. Nigerian Victor Osimhen will compete with Galatasaray, alongside Senegalese defender Ismaïl Jakobs, Ivorian Wilfried Singo, Gabonese midfielder Mario Lemina and Guinea-Bissau international Renato Sam-Na Nhaga.

Moroccan Achraf Hakimi will be part of the Paris Saint-Germain squad, while his compatriot Noussair Mazraoui will represent Manchester United. At Manchester City, Algerian Rayan Aït-Nouri, Egyptian Omar Marmoush, Ghanaian Antoine Semenyo and Senegalese Iliman Ndiaye are also among the African players selected.

Atlético Madrid will count on Nigerian Ademola Lookman, while Aston Villa, featuring Nicolas Jackson and Ibrahim Mbaye, will also have DR Congo international Aaron Wan-Bissaka in its squad.

Senegalese forward Assane Diao will compete with Como. At Villarreal, Cape Verde international Logan Costa, Senegalese Pape Gueye and Ivorian Nicolas Pépé complete the club’s African contingent.

Representation spread across 20 nationalities

Beyond the best-known names, the African contingent reflects considerable diversity. Twenty African nationalities are represented among the 72 players identified. Nigeria, Morocco, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire lead the way with nine players each.

Algeria follows with six players, ahead of Cameroon with five. Gambia, Ghana and Mali each have three representatives. Angola, DR Congo, Egypt, Guinea and Gabon are represented by two players each. Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Libya, Burkina Faso, Mozambique and Cape Verde each have one player.

Galatasaray among the clubs with the strongest African representation

African players are present across a wide range of squads, although their numbers vary from one club to another. Galatasaray have five African players on their A list, making them one of the best-represented clubs: Victor Osimhen, Ismaïl Jakobs, Wilfried Singo, Renato Sam-Na Nhaga and Mario Lemina.

Aston Villa, Feyenoord, Lens, Lille, LASK, Manchester City, Manchester United, Sabah, Slavia Prague, Slovan Bratislava, Sporting CP and Villarreal each have three African players.

At the other end of the spectrum, Arsenal, Club Brugge, Liverpool, PSV and Viking have no African players included on their A lists in this count.

This presence underlines the role played by African footballers in the squads competing at the highest level of European football. With 72 players, 20 nationalities and 31 clubs involved, Africa will have a strong presence on the pitches of the 2026-2027 Champions League.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.

Related teams and leagues

Galatasaray

Aston Villa

Manchester City

Champions League