5 lesser-known African stars who could shine at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar
Over the years, Africa has always delivered some of the best entertainment during the FIFA World Cup. African teams have made a series of particularly strong performances in the competition’s recent history, establishing them as a global force to be reckoned with.
Nigerian star Jay-Jay Okocha rose to notoriety in the 1994 FIFA World Cup, as did Senegal’s El-Hadji Diouf in 2002. Michael Essien was a force of nature for Ghana at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, while Asamoah Gyan took over the role in 2010 on African soil.
Yacine Brahimi of Algeria impressed in Brazil in 2014, and Peter Etebo of Nigeria impressed in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The FIFA World Cup in 2022 presents another opportunity for African players to assert their name on a global platform.
With great names like Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Victor Osimhen, and Riyad Mahrez missing out for a variety of reasons, there is potential for a new crop of stars to emerge. Without further ado, here are five lesser-known African stars who might make a major impression in the FIFA World Cup in 2022.
Also Read: A Detailed Guide to the Upcoming FIFA World Cup 2022
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#5 Hannibal Mejbri (Tunisia)
Hannibal Mejbri, a teenage sensation, is one of the most highly regarded players to emerge from Manchester United’s youth system in recent years. The 19-year-old has played for the Red Devils’ first team and is in Tunisia for his third competition.
Mejbri, who was born in France, decided to represent his parents’ nation in 2021. At the start of the 2022-23 season, the teenager was loaned out to gain first-team experience and a few minutes.
He now plays for Birmingham City in the EFL Championship and has made 15 appearances this season. Mejbri, known for his persistence and assurance on the ball, could provide a new dimension to how his squad plays in Qatar.
Mejbri is a Carthage Eagles full international who made his debut in 2021. The midfielder has made 18 appearances for Tunisia and has already competed in two tournaments. The FIFA World Cup 2022 will be hosted in Qatar, where Mejbri first represented Tunisia in a tournament, the FIFA Arab Cup.
#4 Abde Ezzalzouli (Morocco)
Abde Ezzalzouli, an FC Barcelona youngster, will make his international debut for Morocco in his first major event. The 20-year-old winger had a fantastic breakout season at Camp Nou and now appears primed to make an impression with the Atlas Lions at the FIFA World Cup.
Ezzalzouli was one of the young players Barcelona looked to in 2021-22 as they faced a range of problems, and he contributed to the club’s success. He was loaned to Osasuna ahead of the 2022-23 season and has made eight appearances for them.
Ezzalzouli’s talents were sought after, and Morocco approached him just before the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. He was unable to join the squad at the time, but he has previously played in two friendlies. He will be hoping to do well for his country at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
#3 Salis Samed (Ghana)
Salis Samed, a Ghanaian midfielder, will make his international debut in Qatar.
Salis Samed, a Ghanaian midfielder, will make his international debut in Qatar.
Ghana has failed to impress at the Mundial following its heroics at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. In Qatar, the Black Stars will look to some younger players for inspiration, like as Salis Samed.
Salis Samed of RC Lens has been one of the top midfielders in the French Ligue 1 this season. In the 2021-22 season, the 22-year-old shone at Clermont Foot and earned a move to Lens, where he has continued to shine. His efforts have helped Lens finish second in Ligue 1 behind just PSG.
Samed was invited to the senior Ghanaian national squad for the first time as a result of his regular performances. On his debut ahead of the FIFA World Cup, the midfielder immediately proved his class as the Black Stars defeated Switzerland 2-0.
#2 Iliman Ndiaye (Senegal)
Sky Bet Championship – Sheffield United vs. Queens Park Rangers
With Sadio Mane out due to injury, there is opportunity for a new Senegalese hero at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Many believe that Sheffield United attacker Iliman Ndiaye has a decent chance of accomplishing so.
Ndiaye is a quick-footed attacker who can play anywhere on the front line. The 22-year-old has been a revelation for Sheffield United in the Championship. Ndiaye is a very talented player who, like Mane, is keen to push opponents and has outstanding dribbling skills. This season, he has nine goals and two assists in the Championship.
Ndiaye debuted for Senegal in June 2022 and earned a second cap in September. The attacker was born in France to a French mother but will represent Africa at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
#1 Bryan Mbeumo (Cameroon)
Premier League – Brentford FC vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo is one of the English club’s most well-known players. The France young international will represent his father’s country at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Mbeumo has had a lot of success after signing for Brentford at a club-record amount in 2019. At the club, the 23-year-old attacker has formed an excellent relationship with Ivan Toney. Mbeumo has three goals and an assist in 16 appearances this season for the Bees.
Where to watch the FIFA World Cup live on TV and live streaming?
Here’s a list of the TV broadcasters who organisers FIFA are partnering with and where you can watch the 2022 World Cup tournament games across the globe.
- Afghanistan: ATN
- Albania: RTSH
- Argentina: TVP – TyC Sports
- Armenia: AMPTV
- Australia: SBS
- Austria: ORF – ServusTV
- Azerbaijan: İTV
- Bangladesh: T Sports
- Belarus: Belteleradio
- Belgium: RTBFVRT
- Bolivia: Bolivia TV – Red Uno – Unitel
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: BHRT
- Bulgaria: BNT – Nova
- Brazil: TV Globo
- Brunei: Kristal-Astro
- Cambodia: TVK
- Canada: Bell Media
- Caribbean: SportsMax
- Cayman Islands: Logic
- Central Asia: Saran Media
- China: CCTV – Migu
- Colombia: Caracol Televisión – RCN Televisión
- Costa Rica: Teletica
- Croatia: HRT
- Curaçao: TV Direct 13
- Cyprus: CyBC
- Czech Republic: ČTTV Nova
- Denmark: DRTV 2
- Ecuador: Teleamazonas
- El Salvador: TCS
- Estonia: ERR
- Europe: EBU
- France: TF1 – beIN Sports
- Finland: Yle – MTV3
- Georgia: GPB
- Germany: ARD – ZDF – Deutsche Telekom
- Greece: ANT1
- Guatemala: TV Azteca – Tigo Sports
- Honduras: Televicentro
- Hong Kong: PCCW
- Hungary: MTVA
- Iceland: RÚV
- Indian subcontinent: Viacom18
- Indonesia: Klikdaily – Emtek
- Ireland: RTÉ
- Israel: IPBC
- Italy: RAI
- Japan: Dentsu – Abema
- Kazakhstan: Kazakh TV
- Kosovo: RTK
- Latin America: Vrio Corp.
- Latvia: LTV
- Liechtenstein: SRG SSR
- Lithuania: LRT
- Macau: TDM
- Malaysia: Astro – RTM
- Malta: PBS
- MENA: beIN Sports
- Mexico: TelevisaTV Azteca
- Moldova: TRM
- Mongolia: Central Television
- Montenegro: RTCG
- Nepal: Media Hub
- Netherlands: NOS
- New Zealand: Sky
- North Macedonia: MRT
- Norway: NRKTV 2
- Pakistan: ARY Digital Network
- Panama: RPC – TVN
- Paraguay: SNT – Telefuturo – TreceTyC – SportsTigo Sports
- Peru: Latina Televisión
- Philippines: TAP DMV
- Poland: TVP
- Portugal: RTP Sport TV
- Romania: TVR
- Russia: Match TV – Channel One – VGTRK
- Senegal: RTS
- Serbia: RTS
- Slovakia: RTVS
- Slovenia: RTV
- South Africa: SABC
- South Korea: SBS – KBS – MBC
- Spain: RTVE – Mediapro
- Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport – New World TV
- Suriname: SCCN – STVS
- Sweden: SVT TV4
- Switzerland: SRG SSR
- Taiwan: ELTA
- Trinidad and Tobago: CNC3
- Turkey: TRT
- Ukraine: Suspilne
- United Kingdom: BBC ITV
- United States: Fox – Telemundo
- Uruguay: ANTEL – Canal 4 – Canal 10 – TeledoceTyC Sports
- Uzbekistan: MTRK
- Venezuela: Televen
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How to Watch the Opening Ceremony of the World Cup Live?
The opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup will be televised and streamed in numerous ways around the world, attracting a large worldwide audience.
| Date | Time | TV | Stream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Nov. 20 | 9:00 | FOX, Telemundo | fuboTV, Fox Sports app, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo |
| Canada | Nov. 20 | 9:00 | CTV, TSN | TSN app |
| UK | Nov. 20 | 14:00 | BBC One | BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Website |
| Australia | Nov. 21 | 01:00 | SBS | SBS On Demand |
| New Zealand |
Nov. 21 | 03:00 | Sky Sport | Sky Sport |
| India | Nov. 20 | 19:00 | Sports 18 | JioCinema |
| Malaysia | Nov. 20 | 22:00 | RTM, Astro | Astro Go |
| Singapore | Nov. 20 | 22:00 | Mediacorp Channel 5 | StarHub TV+, IPTV, Singtel TV |
| Hong Kong | Nov. 20 | 22:00 | BeIN Sports, ITV | Now TV, ViuTV |
World Cup 2022 tournament format
The 2022 World Cup will follow along the lines of recent editions, with a 32-team group stage to whittle the field down to 16 teams — only the top two teams from each of the eight groups survive.
Those 16 group-stage teams will advance to the single-game knockout stages — Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, final — where the winner moves on and the loser goes home. There must be a winner on the day for every knockout-round match, and extra time and penalty kicks will be used, if necessary, to determine the victor.
- Group stage: Nov. 20-Dec. 2
- Round of 16: Dec. 3-6
- Quarterfinals: Dec. 9-10
- Semifinals: Dec. 13-14
- Third-place match: Dec. 17
- Final: Dec. 18
Who will be performing at the opening ceremony?
- FIFA has yet to announce a full list of performers for the opening ceremony.
- South Korea’s BTS said Jungkook, one of seven members of the boy band, would perform a track titled “Dreamers” at the ceremony.
- Others named as possible performers at the opening ceremony include the Black Eyed Peas, Robbie Williams and Nora Fatehi, according to the Telegraph.
- In an excerpt of an interview with Italy’s Il Venerdì di Repubblica to be published next month, Williams said it would be “hypocritical” of him to not perform in Qatar.
- British singer Dua Lipa denied a report that she was set to perform. Some Spanish media reports said Shakira would also not perform.
- Singer Rod Stewart told the Times he had turned down an offer of “over $1 million” to perform in Qatar.
Read More: FIFA World Cup 2022: Shakira Is Not Performing In Opening Ceremony
