The Premier League is well represented among African nations at the World Cup, with all but one of the continent’s 10 contenders featuring at least one player from England’s top flight, according to getmoresports. This is a team-by-team look at Premier League players set to appear in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Algeria will include Manchester City fullback Rayan Aït-Nouri. Aït-Nouri endured a testing first season at City after joining from Wolves, picking up an ankle injury early in the campaign and returning to find youngster Nico O’Reilly established at left back. He finished the league season with 17 appearances and will look to contribute down Algeria’s left flank, according to getmoresports.
Cape Verde have no Premier League players in their squad, though Nuno da Costa and Ryan Mendes have played for Nottingham Forest in the Championship, according to getmoresports.
DR Congo’s squad features a number of Premier League names. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is listed with West Ham United after a campaign that saw his club relegated; his future was described as uncertain and Everton were reported to be monitoring him. Wan-Bissaka switched his international allegiance from England to the DR Congo. Axel Tuanzebe, whose Burnley side were relegated, brings versatility and scored the decisive goal in the March playoff win over Jamaica that sent the Leopards to their first World Cup in 52 years. Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland) offers experience at left back and set-piece quality, while Noah Sadiki (Sunderland) was cited as a revelation as Sunderland finished seventh and drew reported interest from Manchester United. Yoane Wissa, who signed for Newcastle for £50 million as a replacement for Alexander Isak, endured an injury-hit season with one league goal, but brings direct running and finishing, according to getmoresports.
Ivory Coast’s Premier League contingent includes Ibrahim Sangaré of Nottingham Forest, praised as an underrated midfielder who can dominate games and who played a direct role in three goals against Tottenham in December. Simon Adingra joined Sunderland last summer but struggled for impact and was loaned to AS Monaco after registering one goal and no assists in the first half of the campaign. Manchester United’s Amad Diallo has shown technical quality for club and country and scored at the Africa Cup of Nations against Mozambique, Cameroon and Burkina Faso, as well as netting a friendly winner against France, according to getmoresports.
