AFCON 2025
African countries have contributed a significant share of goals scored at the FIFA World Cup since Egypt became the first team from the continent to participate in the tournament in 1934.
The Pharaohs scored two goals courtesy of Abdulrahman Fawzi’s brace in the 4-2 loss to Hungary in their only match of the tournament.
Since then, 13 other African countries have participated in the World Cup and have scored a total of 157 goals – 5.8% of the 2,720 goals scored since its inception.
Ten African teams will represent the continent for the first time due to the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico allowing the participants to increase their tally.
This post examines the top five countries with the most goals at the World Cup from 1934 to 2022.
- Senegal
The Terenga Lions made their debut at the World Cup in 2002 – unarguably their best to date as they reached the last eight. The reigning African champions scored seven goals in their debut appearance and have added nine more across two appearances in 2018 and 2022. Senegal have scored 16 goals with an average of four goals per appearance.
- Ghana
The Black Stars have scored 18 goals in four appearances. Asamoah Gyan is Ghana’s World Cup hero and the leading scorer for the continent with six goals to his name. Ghana are averaging 4.5 goals per tournament and will look to increase their tally in a group that has England, Croatia and Panama.
- Morocco
Achraf Hakimi was part of Morocco’s 2022 World Cup heroics as they made history as the first African team to reach the semi-finals. The Atlas Lions have been participating at the World Cup since 1970 and are one of the favourites among the 10 to progress into the next round. Morocco have scored 20 goals and are averaging 3.3 goals.
- Cameroon
Cameroon have the highest number of appearances at the World Cup -8 with 1990 being their best tournament as they reached the quarter-finals. Roger Miller is Cameroon’s World Cup hero. He is the oldest man to score a goal at the FIFA World Cup. He achieved this at 42 years and 39 days old. He scored in Cameroon’s 6-1 loss to Russia in the group stage of the 1994 World Cup. Cameroon have 22 goals with 2.275 per tournament. Sadly, the Indomitable Lions will not be participating at this year’s tournament.
- Nigeria
The Super Eagles have missed out on two consecutive World Cups but have scored the most goals at the World Cup. Late Rashidi Yekini scored the country’s first goal in its debut appearance against Bulgaria in a 3-0 triumph at the USA 1994 World Cup. Since then, the Super Eagles have scored 20 more goals with Victor Moses being the country’s last goal scorer at the 2018 World Cup.
