Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Dr Patrice Motsepe has hailed the continent’s performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a landmark moment for African football, declaring that CAF will not rest until an African country lifts the trophy itself.
Speaking as nine of Africa’s ten representatives advanced beyond the group stage of the expanded 48-team tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, Motsepe described the achievement as proof that the continent’s football is now competitive at the very highest level. Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and South Africa all booked places in the Round of 32, a 90% qualification rate, the best of any of FIFA’s six continental confederations. Only Tunisia missed out, after failing to win any of its three group matches.
The nine-team haul shattered Africa’s previous best of two teams reaching the knockout rounds, set in 2014 when Algeria and Nigeria advanced in Brazil. It also builds on the platform laid by Morocco’s run to the semifinals in Qatar in 2022, the first time an African country had gone that far in the competition’s history.
Of the nine qualifiers, Morocco proved the standout, topping a group that included Croatia and Belgium before eliminating Canada in the Round of 16 to reach the quarterfinals for the second consecutive World Cup, a first for an African country.
Egypt also enjoyed a strong campaign, pushing reigning champions Argentina in a dramatic Round of 16 tie before ultimately falling 3-2, having led 2-0 with just over 20 minutes remaining.
Motsepe’s Message
Addressing the continent’s federations, players and technical staff, Motsepe extended his congratulations on behalf of CAF’s 54 member associations, crediting years of investment in youth development, coaching structures, professional leagues and football infrastructure across Africa.
The CAF president also pointed to improvements off the pitch in governance, transparency and financial management as key factors that have helped attract new sponsors and partners, further fuelling the growth of the game across the continent’s 54 member Associations.
Motsepe used the moment to look beyond 2026, insisting Africa now has at least ten countries capable of competing consistently at the World Cup’s highest level. He framed this year’s tournament as a decisive step toward a longer-standing ambition, seeing an African country not just reach a World Cup final, but win it.
CAF will not rest until an African nation lifts the FIFA World Cup trophy.” Dr Patrice Motsepe, CAF President