World Cup 2026: Two Nigerians Among the Youngest African Players to Start a Match in the Top Five List

The 2026 World Cup is approaching the round of 32, and many teams have already delivered exciting performances, reports Afrik‑Foot.

Top nations such as France, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, the United States, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain have all dominated their groups.

Although the Super Eagles are not in the competition, other African teams have been performing well.

Cape Verde has emerged as the tournament’s biggest surprise. The debutants, ranked 67th in the world, qualified from a group that included Uruguay, Spain, and Saudi Arabia.

Senegal is also in contention for the next round. They finished third in their group but are on track to qualify as one of the best third‑placed teams.

The Teranga Lions of Africa thrashed 10‑man Iraq 5‑0 on Friday night to boost their chances of reaching the next round.

During the match, PSG youngster Ibrahim Mbaye made his starting debut. Although he had appeared in Senegal’s previous two games, this was his first start of the competition, a historic moment.

Who Are The Five Youngest African Players To Start A World Cup Game?

5. Ibrahim Mbaye

Ibrahim Mbaye became the fifth‑youngest African player to start a World Cup game on Friday. Opta data shows that his debut came at 18 years and 153 days.

4. Rigobert Song

Rigobert Song Copyright: imago/Camera 4

Cameroonian legend Rigobert Song is one of the most renowned names in African football. He made his debut at the 1994 World Cup in the United States, starting against Sweden at 17 years and 354 days old.

3. Bartholomew Ogbeche

Bartholomew Ogbeche Copyright: Imago/Camera 4

Ogbeche was one of the newcomers in the Super Eagles’ 2002 FIFA World Cup squad in South Korea and Japan. He played the full 90 minutes in a 1‑0 loss to Argentina, and at the time he was just 17 years and 244 days old.

2. Salomon Olembé

Olembé is the second Cameroonian on the list. He made his debut for the Indomitable Lions on June 11, 1998, against Austria, and he was the youngest player in that squad at 17 years and 185 days old.

1. Femi Opabunmi

Femi Opabunmi. (Copyright: imago/Ulmer

Nigeria’s Femi Opabunmi tops the list. He made his starting debut at the World Cup on June 12, 2002, playing against England at just 17 years and 101 days old. He remains one of the youngest players ever to start a World Cup match.