Egyptian captain and Liverpool forward, Mohamed Salah, has emerged as the top scorer so far in the African leg of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. After five rounds of matches, Salah has netted six goals, driving Egypt to the top of Group A with 13 points from four wins and a draw.

Salah’s scoring streak has not only reinforced Egypt’s dominance in the group but also set him apart as the leading marksman in the qualifiers. He remains in red-hot form, successfully replicating his club performance at the international level.

Early brilliance sets Salah apart

The 31-year-old opened the qualifying campaign with a statement performance, scoring four goals in Egypt’s 6-0 demolition of Djibouti in their group opener. That match alone marked his best individual haul in a single international fixture.

He followed up with crucial contributions in subsequent matches. On matchday four, Salah netted a vital equaliser in a 1-1 draw against Guinea-Bissau, salvaging a point for the Pharaohs. Most recently, he scored in the 2-0 win over Ethiopia, helping Egypt maintain their unbeaten run.

With six goals in just five games, Salah currently leads the top scorers chart in Africa’s qualifying race for the 2026 World Cup.

Close contenders begin to emerge

Following closely behind Salah are Egypt’s winger Mahmoud Trézéguet, Gabon’s Denis Bouanga, Ghana’s veteran forward Andre Ayew, and Kamory Doumbia of Mali—each with five goals.

Musa Barrow of Gambia and Rayan Raveloson of Madagascar are tied on four goals. Meanwhile, Benin’s Steve Mounié, Burkina Faso’s Bertrand Traoré, and his compatriot Lassina Traoré have each scored three times.

These names reflect a competitive scoring race across the continent, with several players still in contention to challenge Salah as the qualifiers continue.

Osimhen returns with impact for Nigeria

Victor Osimhen, Nigeria’s star striker, has also made a statement on his return. After missing earlier matches, Osimhen scored twice against Rwanda on Friday in his first appearance of the campaign.

Although he trails behind the top scorers with just two goals, his presence could significantly boost Nigeria’s qualification hopes in the remaining fixtures.

African teams battle for World Cup slots

The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up. Nine direct spots have been allocated to Africa for the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. A potential tenth spot could be secured through the intercontinental playoff.

With five more rounds of qualifiers ahead, the competition across all groups remains tight. Heavyweights like Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, and Morocco are aiming to secure early qualification. However, surprise teams such as Gambia, Comoros, and Equatorial Guinea are also putting up spirited performances.

Egypt’s World Cup dream looks alive

Egypt last played in the World Cup in 2018, where they exited in the group stage. Now, under coach Rui Vitória and with Salah at his peak, the Pharaohs appear poised for a return.

Salah’s consistency, leadership, and scoring instinct remain key to their qualification journey. If he maintains this form, Egypt could not only top their group but also enter the tournament as one of Africa’s strongest contenders.

With matchday six approaching, all eyes remain on Salah and the Egyptian team as they push toward securing one of Africa’s prized World Cup spots.