Super Eagles fall behind Ghana, Cameroon: Africa’s 10 most valuable national teams in 2026

Three years ago, Nigeria’s Super Eagles were widely undoubtedly Africa’s most valuable national team. Fast forward to June 2026, and the landscape has changed dramatically, Afrik-Foot reports.

The latest market value update from Transfermarkt shows a reshuffled order among Africa’s elite football nations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Traditional heavyweights such as Morocco, Senegal and Ivory Coast have surged ahead, while Nigeria have slipped to seventh place.

Elsewhere, Tunisia and Burkina Faso have dropped out of the continent’s top ten, while Cape Verde continue their remarkable rise and now sit 15th as they prepare for their first-ever World Cup appearance. South Africa, Guinea and Angola remain among Africa’s top 20 teams but are still some distance away from breaking into the elite group.

Super Eagles. Copyright: xAlexandrexdexSousaxIMAGO

Super Eagles and the ten most valuable national teams in Africa in 2026

10. Egypt – €116.48 million

Egypt narrowly hold on to a place in Africa’s top ten with a total squad value of €116.48 million.

A major reason for the Pharaohs’ decline is the reduced market value of captain Mohamed Salah. At 33, the former Liverpool star is now valued at €22 million, a significant drop from previous years. His advancing age and changing club circumstances have affected his overall valuation.

Omar Marmoush has become Egypt’s most valuable player at €50 million following his move to Manchester City. However, limited starts and increased competition for places have slowed the rapid growth in his market value.

Beyond those two stars, Egypt depend heavily on domestic-based players, particularly from Al Ahly. While these players bring cohesion and tournament experience, they generally attract lower transfer valuations than players competing regularly in Europe’s biggest leagues.

9. Mali – €116.55 million

Mali edge Egypt into ninth place thanks largely to the meteoric rise of midfielder Mamadou Sangaré.

The 23-year-old enjoyed a breakthrough season with RC Lens after arriving from Rapid Vienna in 2025. His performances in Ligue 1 helped him win the prestigious Prix Marc-Vivien Foé award, making him the first Malian footballer to claim the honour.

Sangaré is now valued at €40 million, comfortably ahead of teammates Lassine Sinayoko, Kamory Doumbia and Mohamed Camara. His rise has attracted attention from several major European clubs, with Premier League sides monitoring his progress ahead of the new season.

8. DR Congo – €143.90 million

DR Congo. Photo by IMAGO

DR Congo’s impressive climb into eighth position reflects the growing quality within the Leopards squad.

The team’s valuation is spearheaded by midfielder Noah Sadiki, whose outstanding performances in England have pushed his market value to €35 million. Experienced forward Yoane Wissa remains another key asset at €25 million following his move from Brentford to Newcastle United.

With a blend of established Premier League performers and emerging young talent, DR Congo head into the World Cup period with one of their strongest squads in recent history.

7. Nigeria – €172.05 million

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have dropped to seventh place with a squad value of €172.05 million. Despite remaining one of Africa’s most talented teams, several factors have contributed to the decline.

Barcelona-linked Victor Osimhen continues to be the face of the squad and one of Africa’s biggest stars, but the overall team valuation has suffered from significant reductions elsewhere.

Victor Boniface experienced one of the sharpest drops after injury problems and knee surgery disrupted his progress. Ademola Lookman and Terem Moffi have also seen their values fluctuate due to form, injuries and changing club situations.

Super Eagles. Copyright: ImagoxGrzegorzxWajdax

Nigeria’s recent squad selections have included several lower-valued players from domestic and emerging leagues, which has also affected the team’s overall market value.

Even so, the Super Eagles remain among Africa’s most competitive sides and will hope their performances on the pitch eventually mirror the quality still present within the squad.

6. Cameroon – €198.70 million

Cameroon occupy sixth place thanks to a new generation of stars led by Bryan Mbeumo. The winger’s move to Manchester United and his performances for both club and country have pushed his valuation to €75 million, making him Cameroon’s most valuable player.

Another major contributor is teenage striker Christian Kofane. The Bayer Leverkusen forward has emerged as one of Africa’s most exciting young talents and is already valued at €40 million.

Together with Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba and Napoli’s Frank Zambo Anguissa, they form the core of a rapidly improving Indomitable Lions squad.

5. Ghana – €234.60 million

Ghana’s return to Africa’s top five has been powered by the remarkable rise of Antoine Semenyo. The attacker became Ghana’s most expensive footballer after completing a €72 million move from Bournemouth to Manchester City in January 2026.

His outstanding campaign across both clubs saw him register 25 goal contributions and push his market value to €80 million. Supported by a growing group of Europe-based talents, the Black Stars have built one of the continent’s most expensive squads.

4. Algeria – €256.90 million

Algeria – Photo by Icon Sport

Algeria continue their steady rise and now sit fourth among Africa’s most valuable national teams. The Desert Foxes boast several players valued above €20 million, led by Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Ibrahim Maza at €45 million.

Manchester City full-back Rayan Aït-Nouri follows closely behind at €40 million, while Amine Gouiri, Anis Hadj Moussa and Mohamed Amoura provide further quality across the attack. The strength and depth of this generation have helped Algeria establish themselves among Africa’s elite once again.

3. Morocco – €447.70 million

Morocco occupy third place after building one of the strongest squads in African football. Captain Achraf Hakimi remains the team’s biggest star. The Paris Saint-Germain defender is valued at €80 million after another exceptional season that included CAF Player of the Year recognition.

Morocco also benefited from the arrival of teenage sensation Ayyoub Bouaddi. The Lille midfielder, who switched allegiance from France, is now valued at €50 million. Further depth comes from players such as Ismael Saibari, Abde Ezzalzouli, Brahim Diaz and Bilal El Khannouss.

Having reached the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and remained among the world’s top-ranked nations, the Atlas Lions continue to set the standard for long-term squad development in Africa.

2. Senegal – €478.10 million

Senegal players celebrate. Photo by Icon Sport

Senegal’s squad value of €478.10 million places them second on the continent. The Teranga Lions have successfully transitioned from the era dominated by Sadio Mané to a younger generation filled with highly valued talent.

Iliman Ndiaye, Nicolas Jackson, Lamine Camara, Ismaïla Sarr, Pape Gueye, Habib Diarra and Assane Diao form the backbone of a squad packed with players competing at the highest level in Europe.

Their strong World Cup qualification campaign and impressive squad depth reveal why they remain one of Africa’s leading football powers.

1. Ivory Coast – €522.10 million

Ivory Coast are officially Africa’s most valuable national team in 2026. The former AFCON champions boast a squad worth €522.10 million, comfortably ahead of every other nation on the continent.

Much of that value comes from teenage sensation Yan Diomandé, whose extraordinary rise at RB Leipzig has pushed his valuation to €90 million, making him Africa’s most valuable player.

The Elephants also possess quality throughout the squad, including Manchester United winger Amad Diallo, Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomandé, Hoffenheim star Bazoumana Touré and Roma centre-back Evan Ndicka.

With elite young talents emerging across every position, Ivory Coast have combined financial strength with on-field success to become Africa’s most valuable national team heading into the 2026 World Cup.