African superstars Salah and Hakimi eyeing 2026 World Cup

Mohamed Salah of Egypt participates in the FIFA World Cup Qualification CAF Group A match between Egypt and Sierra Leone at Cairo International Stadium in Cairo, Egypt, on March 25, 2025. (Photo by Ayman Aref/NurPhoto)

African football icons Mohamed Salah and Achraf Hakimi appear set to feature at the 2026 World Cup as Egypt and Morocco have built commanding leads in their qualifying groups.

However, reigning CAF Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman and his fellow Nigerian Victor Osimhen are facing a struggle to be involved in the 48-nation global showpiece.