AFCON 2025
The FIFA World Cup is the biggest footballing stage and while it might be overwhelming especially for some young stars, others have seized the occasion to make their imprints.
Senegalese forward, Ibrahim Mbaye became the youngest African player to score at the World Cup as he scored in added time in Senegal’s 3-1 loss to France.
The 18-year-old Paris Saint-Germain forward known for his pace and trickery on the ball left Theo Hernandez on the deck before powering a strike into the roof of the net.
Before Mbaye, four other African stars have held the record including former Super Eagles striker Julius Efosa Aghahowa and Ghanaian legendary striker Asamoah Gyan.
This posts examines the top five youngest African players to score at the FIFA World Cup.
- Asamoah Gyan (Ghana) – 20 years, 6 months & 26 days (2006)
Asamoah Gyan aka “Baby Jet” scored Ghana’s first-ever World Cup goal after just 68 seconds (fastest of the tournament at the time) in a 2-0 win over the Czech Republic.
- Julius Aghahowa (Nigeria) – 20 years, 3 months & 26 days (2002)
Julius Efosa Aghahowa headed Nigeria’s only goal of the tournament in a 2-1 loss to Sweden. Known for his signature acrobatic backflip celebrations.
- Draman Haminu (Ghana) – 20 years, 2 months & 21 days (2006)
He opened the scoring with a low curled shot from outside the box in Ghana’s 2-1 victory over the United States.
- Moussa Wagué (Senegal) – 19 years, 8 months & 20 days (2018)
The Senegalese right-back scored with a clinical finish from a cross in a thrilling 2-2 draw against Japan — his first senior international goal.
- Ibrahim Mbaye (Senegal) – 18 years, 4 months & 23 days (2026)
PSG youngster became the youngest African World Cup scorer ever with a stunning 90+5′ consolation strike in a 3-1 defeat to France.
