The AFCON 2027 Qualifiers will feature some of the highest-valued players in international soccer. According to Transfermarkt estimates checked on September 19, 2026, Yan Diomandé heads the list at €90 million. Identifying the leading names for the opening window, however, requires more than checking valuations: the figures must also be compared with the squads announced by each national team. A high market value does not guarantee an appearance in the upcoming matches.
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The Most Valuable African Players Set to Feature in the AFCON 2027 Qualifiers
Yan Diomandé leads the market-value estimates, followed by stars including Achraf Hakimi, Antoine Semenyo and Victor Osimhen. The opening international squads help establish which players are available from the start.
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Yan Diomandé leads the valuations
At 19, Yan Diomandé carries an estimated market value of €90 million. The Côte d’Ivoire winger has been selected by Hervé Renard for the qualifiers against Ghana on September 24 and Somalia five days later. His inclusion gives the Elephants one of the most valuable players involved in the opening round.
Hakimi and Semenyo share the next level
Achraf Hakimi and Antoine Semenyo are each valued at €80 million. The Morocco full-back has been selected by Mohamed Ouahbi for the games against Gabon and Lesotho, however, he will not be able to play in the opening match against Gabon due to a pending CAF suspension stemming from incidents during the 2025 AFCON final. The full-back was called up despite the sanction. Semenyo, meanwhile, is in Ghana’s squad for its meetings with Côte d’Ivoire and Gambia.
The next confirmed name is Victor Osimhen. His individual Transfermarkt profile lists a market value of €75 million, although he does not appear among the leading names in the competition’s overall valuation table. Nigeria has selected the striker for its opening qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Bryan Mbeumo also carries a €75 million valuation. However, his inclusion in Cameroon’s squad for this opening window could not be confirmed, so his immediate participation should not be treated as certain.
More highly valued players from Senegal, Egypt and Morocco
Iliman Ndiaye, selected by Senegal to face Mozambique and Ethiopia, is valued at €55 million. He is the highest-valued Senegalese player in the Transfermarkt records consulted for this article.
A step below are three players valued at €50 million: Omar Marmoush, called up by Egypt; Ayyoub Bouaddi, included in Morocco’s squad; and Mohammed Kudus, who returns to the Ghana national team after a lengthy injury-related absence.
These figures are market-value estimates, not transfer fees or release clauses. National-team selections can also change before kickoff. Based on the confirmed squads available as of September 19, Diomandé is the highest-valued player selected for the start of the group stage.
