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The 2026-27 Champions League season has more than a few interesting themes. Many of the biggest sides in Europe have new head coaches; Manchester United return after two seasons out; and Cesc Fàbregas’s Como have made the league phase.
Paris Saint-Germain are considered among the favourites - it would be the first time since Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid that a side won three successive titles.
What will the autumn matches tell West African football about what might happen in this season’s premier European competition?
African stars in European football
36 teams compete in the Champions League league phase, and 79 African players have been named in the squad lists.
Senegal have a second-high (after Morocco) 10 players included. Nicolas Jackson and Ibrahim Mbaye transferred to Aston Villa this summer, while Iliman Ndiaye switched from Everton to Manchester City.
Even those West African nations without many European stars, such as Liberia, may be watching with interest. Liberia were represented in Europe by their national team captain, Oscar Dorley, but the defensive midfielder moved to Saudi Arabia this year. However, his former side - Slavia Prague - have qualified for the league phase, and Liberia fans may watch how they cope without his leadership.
Liberia were ranked only #140 in FIFA’s world rankings at the time of the opening Champions League league phase matches. The country haven’t had a world-famous star since George Weah, but have been as high as #66 in the world. That high came in 2001, a year before Liberia made the African Cup of Nations finals.
Weah played for some of Europe’s biggest clubs: Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Monaco. He thrice made the annual World XI and was Champions League top scorer in 1994-95.
North Africa will pay similarly close attention this season; Morocco have a remarkable 13 players taking part. That group includes Ayyoub Bouaddi at Manchester City, Brahim Diaz at Real Madrid, Ismael Saibari at Bayern Munich, Neil El Aynaoui at RB Leipzig, Nassim El Harmouz at Feyenoord, and Ilias Akhomach at Villarreal.
Favourites for the Champions League 2026-27 title
Barcelona, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain are considered the favourites by most bookmakers. Bayern Munich and Real Madrid aren’t far behind, according to early-season odds. Man City, in their first season after a decade with Pep Guardiola, and Liverpool are among the other contenders.
These odds are often available on the same West African platforms that offer other online entertainment, such as Liberian sites hosting slots with bonus rounds. Sports bettors and casino gamers should use responsible gambling tools, widely available on trustworthy sites. There are also independent organisations that offer help to anyone with a gambling problem (in Britain, GamCare offers help on the phone, on live chat, and on WhatsApp).
Whether African players star in the knockouts, there is plenty for African football fans to watch for in the league phase. Morocco’s sheer number of representatives means that the continental will be well respected. West Africa will be keen to find out how Jackson and Mbaye get on with Unai Emery at Villa - the head coach will aim to replicate his Europa League success in club football’s biggest continental competition.
