Former Super Eagles captain Sunday Oliseh says one of his greatest wishes is to witness an African country lift the FIFA World Cup trophy before the end of his lifetime.
Oliseh, who played a key role in Nigeria’s historic gold medal triumph at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, noted that while Africa has enjoyed several memorable moments on football’s biggest stage, the continent is still waiting for its first World Cup title.
Since the tournament began in 1930, 49 African teams from 13 different countries have participated in the World Cup. However, only one African side has managed to reach the semi-finals — Morocco national football team at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
That achievement surpassed the previous best performances by African nations, including Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010, all of whom reached the quarter-finals.
For decades, many have recalled the famous prediction by Brazilian football legend Pelé, who reportedly stated in the 1970s that an African country would win the World Cup before the year 2000. More than two decades later, that prophecy remains unfulfilled.
Morocco’s Blueprint for Success
Morocco’s rise has been widely credited to years of strategic investment in football development under the leadership of King Mohammed VI. The country established a world-class football academy in 2009 and later unveiled a state-of-the-art training complex in 2019, helping the Atlas Lions become Africa’s highest-ranked national team.
Former Nigeria captain William Troost-Ekong believes Morocco’s progress offers a model for other African countries.
According to him, long-term planning, grassroots development, modern facilities, and strong government support are essential ingredients for success on the global stage.
CAF Confident Africa Will Reach the Summit
The President of Confederation of African Football, Patrice Motsepe, remains optimistic that an African team will eventually become world champions.
CAF has increased prize money for major competitions, including the Africa Cup of Nations and continental club tournaments, while also investing in youth football programmes and school championships across the continent.
Veteran French coach Claude Le Roy, who has managed several African national teams, also insists that sustained investment in youth development is the foundation for future World Cup success.
More Opportunities for African Teams
Historically, Africa’s chances were limited by the small number of qualification slots available. For many years, the continent was represented by only one team at the World Cup.
That picture has changed dramatically. The expanded 48-team format for the 2026 FIFA World Cup gives Africa nine automatic qualification places, while DR Congo national football team also secured a place through the intercontinental play-offs.
Ronwen Williams, captain of the South African national team, believes the increased representation is a major step forward for African football. He argues that stronger domestic leagues, improvements in CAF competitions, and the success of Morocco in 2022 have boosted confidence across the continent.
Belief Is Growing
Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye says every African team should arrive at the World Cup believing it can win the tournament rather than simply participate.
That mindset has become stronger since Morocco’s historic run in Qatar, which demonstrated that African teams can compete with and defeat football’s traditional powers from Europe and South America.
Africa came close before. Senegal narrowly missed a semi-final spot in 2002, while Ghana suffered heartbreak in 2010 when Asamoah Gyan missed a crucial penalty against Uruguay in the quarter-finals.
Africa’s Ten Representatives at the 2026 World Cup
This year’s tournament marks Africa’s largest-ever representation at the World Cup, with ten nations carrying the continent’s hopes:
- Algeria
- Cabo Verde
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Egypt
- Ghana
- Morocco
- Senegal
- South Africa
- Tunisia
- DR Congo
With Morocco and Senegal currently among the highest-ranked African nations, many observers believe the continent is closer than ever to producing a World Cup champion. Whether that breakthrough arrives in 2026 or a future edition remains uncertain, but Africa’s growing investment, improved infrastructure, and expanding World Cup presence suggest the wait may not last forever.