Liverpool star Mohamed Salah has emerged as the leading scorer in Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, netting six goals in five matches for Egypt. The Pharaohs’ captain has been instrumental in his nation’s dominant start to the campaign, helping them secure top spot in Group A with 13 points from four wins and a draw.
Salah began his scoring spree with four goals in Egypt’s 6-0 thrashing of Djibouti in the opening round. He then delivered crucial equalisers against Guinea-Bissau before adding another strike in Friday’s 2-0 victory over Ethiopia. His tally puts him ahead of other notable African marksmen in the qualifiers.
Top Scorers in the African World Cup Qualifiers:
Mohamed Salah (Egypt) – 6 goals
Mahmoud Trézéguet (Egypt), Denis Bouanga (Gabon), Andre Ayew (Ghana), Kamory Doumbia (Mali) – 5 goals each
Musa Barrow (Gambia), Rayan Raveloson (Madagascar) – 4 goals each
Steve Mounie (Benin), Bertrand Traore & Lassina Traore (Burkina Faso) – 3 goals each
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Victor Osimhen opened his account in the qualifiers with a brace against Rwanda on Friday, taking his tally to two goals.
With the race for Africa’s nine guaranteed spots at the 2026 World Cup heating up, Salah’s form will be crucial for Egypt’s hopes of securing a place in the expanded 48-team tournament. A potential tenth African team could also qualify through an intercontinental playoff.
The next round of qualifiers is set to resume in March 2025, with nations vying for a chance to compete in the global showpiece across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.