Who is the top African goalscorer in World Cup history?

Asamoah Gyan, Roger Milla, Samuel Eto’o, Andre Ayew… Many African strikers have shone at the World Cup. But do you know who the top African scorer in World Cup history is?

Since Abdulrahman Fawzi’s goal for Egypt in the 1934 edition, African strikers have regularly found the net in the World Cup. Here is the ranking of the eight African players who have scored more than two goals in World Cup history.

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8. Youssef En-Nesyri (Morocco) – 3 goals

The Moroccan is the all-time leading scorer for the Atlas Lions in the World Cup. His first World Cup goal dates back to 2018 against Spain (2-2).

In 2022 in Qatar, he scored against Canada in the group stage (2-1), then netted the decisive goal against Portugal in the quarter-final (1-0), a header from a height of 2.78 meters according to FIFA. This goal sent Morocco to the semi-finals – a first for an African team.

7. Andre Ayew (Ghana) – 3 goals

The son of Abedi Pele, Andre Ayew is the only Ghanaian to have participated in his country’s last three World Cups (2010, 2014, 2022). He was most decisive in 2014: a goal against the United States in the group stage, then a header to equalize against Germany (2-2), the first goal conceded by the Mannschaft in that edition.

In 2022 in Qatar, he scored against Portugal (a 3-2 defeat), but missed a penalty against Uruguay in the final group match, resulting in elimination. Three goals in three editions, spread over eight World Cup years.

A remarkable longevity for the versatile NAC Breda striker, aged 36, who is nevertheless expected to miss the 2026 edition.

6. Wahbi Khazri (Tunisia) – 3 goals

Three goals for the Tunisian attacking midfielder, spread between the 2018 and 2022 editions. In Russia, he scored against Panama.

Four years later in Qatar, he netted two goals in the group stage, including a prestigious one to defeat France, his country of birth (1-0). Despite this historic victory, Tunisia was eliminated in the first round.

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5. Papa Bouba Diop (Senegal) – 3 goals

Three goals, all scored at the 2002 World Cup. And not just any goals. The first was the one that knocked out France, the reigning world champions, in the opening match (1-0). Diop then followed up with a brace against Uruguay (3-3).

Not bad for a midfielder not particularly known for his attacking prowess! Senegal reached the quarterfinals in their first appearance – one of the biggest upsets in the tournament’s history. This cemented Papa Bouba Diop’s legendary status, who sadly passed away far too soon in November 2020 at the age of 42.

4. Samuel Eto’o (Cameroon) – 3 goals

Despite a strong record at the Africa Cup of Nations (2 titles), Samuel Eto’o did not achieve the same level of success at the World Cup. He scored three goals in two appearances: one in 2002 in South Korea and Japan, and two in 2010 in South Africa. In his third and final appearance in 2014, he failed to score. Furthermore, Cameroon never progressed beyond the group stage with Eto’o in the squad.

3. Ahmed Musa (Nigeria) – 4 goals

The Nigerian is his country’s top scorer in the World Cup with four goals spread across two editions. In 2014 in Brazil, Ahmed Musa scored twice against Argentina in a match they lost 3-2.

In 2018 in Russia, he repeated the feat: another brace, this time against Iceland (2-0). Four goals, two braces, two different World Cups: Ahmed Musa, or the art of shining on the big occasion.

2. Roger Milla (Cameroon) – 5 goals

Roger Milla scored five World Cup goals, four of them at the 1990 edition in Italy . That year, he notably bagged a brace in the round of 16 against Colombia (2-1 after extra time), propelling the Indomitable Lions to the quarterfinals – an unprecedented feat for an African team at the time.

Four years later, in 1994 in the United States, he scored against Russia at the age of 42. He thus became the oldest goalscorer in the tournament’s history, a record that still stands.

1. Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) – 6 goals

Asamoah Gyan is the top African scorer in World Cup history with six goals across three editions (2006, 2010, 2014). His first World Cup goal came in 2006 against the Czech Republic, just 68 seconds into the game – the fastest goal of that edition.

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In 2010, in South Africa, the Ghanaian scored a penalty against Serbia (1-0), then another penalty against Australia (1-1). But the fairytale ended in heartbreak in the quarter-final against Uruguay when he missed a penalty in the dying seconds of extra time – a shot that hit the crossbar, denying Ghana its first-ever semi-final appearance for an African nation and earning him death threats.

Nothing to tarnish his legend! In 2014 in Brazil, Asamoah Gyan added two more goals to his tally. A remarkable ratio of six goals in eleven World Cup matches.

The ranking of the best African goalscorers in the World Cup

Player	Country	Number of goals
Asamoah Gyan	Ghana	6
Roger Milla	Cameroon	5
Ahmed Musa	Nigeria	4
Samuel Eto’o	Cameroon	3
Papa Bouba Diop	Senegal	3
Wahbi Khazri	Tunisia	3
André Ayew	Ghana	3
Youssef En-Nesyri	Morocco	3