The 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark the debut of the expanded 48-team format, featuring nine African teams rather than the previous five.
With the fight for the automatic berths entering its final rounds, the question remains which countries will book their ticket to the showpiece event.
On Wednesday, Egypt defeated Djibouti 3-0 at the Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Morocco, to book their spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, qualifying as Group A winners.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah made more history with a brace in the game. But which goalscoring record did the Egyptian maestro break and where does he rank among the all-time top scorers from the continent?
SportPremi reveals the top five highest-scoring Africans in World Cup qualifying history;
5. Moumouni Dagano (12 goals):
Burkina Faso legend Moumouni Dagano ranks number 5 on the all-time scoring charts in African World Cup qualifying matches with 12 goals and he is also his country’s all-time record scorer (34).
What makes the achievement even more remarkable is that he scored all his goals in a single qualifying campaign for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, although the Stallions narrowly missed out, finishing second behind Ivory Coast in Group E.
4. Samuel Eto’o (17 goals):
Cameroon icon Samuel Eto’o netted 17 times in qualifying, leading his country to four FIFA World Cup appearances during his playing days.
The four-time African footballer of the year award winner most memorable campaign was in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, when he netted nine goals which was only behind the aforementioned Moumouni Dagano (12).
Eto’o went on to score three times in eight appearances at the World Cup for the Indomitable Lions.
3. Islam Slimani (18 goals):
Algeria’s all-time record goalscorer Islam Slimani’s tally of 18 goals across World Cup qualifying matches ranks him third on this list.
The 37-year-old represented his country at the 2014 edition in Brazil, scoring twice as the Desert Warriors exited the tournament at the last 16 stage.
2. Didier Drogba (18 goals):
Two-time African footballer of the year winner Didier Drogba previously occupied the number one position with 18 goals.
Ivory Coast’s football history would be incomplete without mentioning the iconic legend who captained the nation to three World Cup appearances, including their historic debut in 2006.
He also netted the country’s first-ever goal at the tournament, scoring a late consolation in a 2-1 defeat to Argentina in their opening group game.
1. Mohamed Salah (20 goals):
Egypt captain Mohamed Salah continues to cement his legacy as one of the greatest African footballers in history after another record-breaking performance to send his side to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Liverpool winger had drawn level at the summit of the rankings in September but now stands alone as Africa’s all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifying history.
With two matches to play in this year’s qualifying campaign, the 33-year-old still has the opportunity to further widen the gap to his nearest challengers.
