DAKAR/ RADES (Senegal/Tunisia) - The fourth window of the African qualifiers could be a defining moment for some teams in the race to the 2027 Qatar World Cup, and some players have made their presence known.
Some familiar names are returning to their national teams' duties or making their debut in the 2027 World Cup African Qualifiers.
Two NBA champions, Olympians, and first-timers are expected to suit up for their teams in Dakar and Rades, where twelve teams split into Groups E and F will continue their battle to secure one of the five spots for African teams in next year's 32-team World Cup.
Dimitri Maconda - Angola
Date of birth: November 2001 Height: 1.87m (6'1")
The point last guard last featured for Angola during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Yves Missi - Cameroon
Date of birth: May 14, 2004 Height: 2.08m (6'9")
The New Orleans power forward last represented his country at the 2025 FIBA AfroBasket tournament, where he helped the Indomitable Lions secure a fourth-place finish — their best result since 2009.
In his final campaign wearing the Cameroonian jersey, Missi averaged 13.3 points, as well as a team-high 7.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game.
Majok Deng - South Sudan
Date of birth: May 1, 1993 Height: 2.05m (6'8")
Since making his debut with the Bright Stars of South Sudan during the 2023 World Cup African Qualifiers, Majok Deng has become one of the most recognisable South Sudanese players. He has helped his country to a 11-1 finish during the last edition of the World Cup African Qualifiers.
However, he hasn't worn the South Sudan jersey since the 2025 AfroBasket, a competition in which they finished a disappointing 10th out of 16 teams.
Solo Diabate - Côte d'Ivoire
Date of birth: July 21, 1987 Height: 1.83m (6'0")
With three World Cups and countless AfroBasket appearances under his belt, Solo Diabaté is set to make his first appearance in the 2027 Africa Qualifiers.
The playmaker last played for the Ivorians during the 2025 AfroBasket tournament.
Marial Shayok - South Sudan
Date of birth: July 26, 1995 Height: 1.98m (6'5")
Shayok, the sharpshooter, has been a massive addition to the South Sudanese roster. He last played for the East African team at the Paris Olympics in 2024, averaging 14.7 points per game.
Mamadi Diakite - Guinea
Date of birth: January 21, 1997 Height: 2.06m (6'9")
The Milwaukee Bucks' 2021 NBA champion was instrumental in Guinea's 2025 AfroBasket campaign. During the competition, he averaged 13.3 points, 7 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game.
However, he has not shown up for the West African team. Until now.
Carlik Jones - South Sudan
Date of birth: December 23, 1997 Height: 1.83m (6'0")
With Carlik Jones' return, South Sudan has one of the players it needed and missed over the past few campaigns.
He led the Bright Stars in scoring at both the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Now, he is set to make his first appearance for South Sudan on African soil.
Nuni Omot - South Sudan
Date of birth: October 3, 1994 Height: 2.04m (6'8")
Nuni Omot, another South Sudanese player, is making his return and debut in the African Qualifiers. He brings his leadership and scoring prowess to the East African team.
Omot last played for South Sudan at the 2025 AfroBasket tournament.
Josh Okogie - Nigeria
Date of birth: September 1, 1998 Height: 1.93m (6'3")
2021 Tokyo Olympian Josh Okogie is set to suit up for the D'Tigers of Nigeria for the first time in a year.
Fresh off an NBA season with the Houston Rockets, Okogie led Nigeria during the 2025 AfroBasket with team highs of 14.5 points and 4 assists per game.
Wenyen Gabriel - South Sudan
Date of birth: March 26, 1997 Height: 2.08m (6'9")
The return of Wenyen Gabriel is a much-needed presence in the paint for South Sudan.
Gabriel last played for South Sudan in the 2025 AfroBasket tournament.
Peter Jok - South Sudan
Date of birth: March 30, 1994 Height: 1.98m (6'6")
Jok, a three-point specialist, increases South Sudan's scoring options upon his return.
Having last played for the Angolan team Petro de Luanda during the 2026 Basketball Africa League (BAL) season, Jok rejoins the Bright Stars for the first time since the 2025 AfroBasket tournament.
Debutants
The debutants in the 2027 African Qualifiers include Christian Koloko (Cameroon), Damion Baugh (DR Congo), Kobi Simmons (Côte d'Ivoire), Pacome Dadiet (Côte d'Ivoire), who won the 2026 NBA championship with the New York Knicks, Adama Sanogo (Mali), Chima Moneke (Nigeria) and Mahamadou Gueye (Senegal).
FIBA