AFCON 2025/26 Best XI Revealed: Morocco’s Golden Four Lead the Dream Team
21 January 2026
CAF's Best XI for AFCON 2025/26 Announced
The Confederation of African Football unveiled the official Best XI for AFCON 2025/26, hosted in Morocco, with Senegal claiming the trophy.
The selections feature four players from the host nation Morocco: Yassine Bounou, Noussair Mazraoui, Achraf Hakimi, and Ibrahim Diaz.
Also included are four players from the title-winning squad, namely: Papi Jay, Sadio Mane, Moussa Niakhaté, and Idrissa Gueye.
Three players come from Nigeria, who finished in third, while Egypt’s stars were left out despite their run to the semi-finals.
The complete Best XI for AFCON is as follows:
Goalkeeper: Yassine Bounou.
Defence: Noussair Mazraoui – Moussa Niakhaté – Calvin – Achraf Hakimi.
Midfield: Idrissa Gueye – Papi Jay – Ademola Lookman.
Attack: Ibrahim Diaz – Victor Osimhen – Sadio Mane.
Note: The final was chaotic after a stoppage-time penalty for Morocco, delaying the match in the second half.
Papi Thiou, Senegal’s coach, ordered his players to leave the pitch at the Mohammed V Stadium in Rabat, only to return minutes later to complete the game.
The Confederation of African Football issued an official statement last Monday condemning the events that occurred during the final.
