African teams dream big in pursuit of World Cup glory

African nations are entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup with renewed confidence and heightened expectations as the continent fields a record 10 teams in the expanded tournament, with players and officials believing the time has come for Africa to challenge seriously for football’s biggest prize.

The tournament, being hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, increasing Africa’s representation from five to 10 nations. The continent’s representatives are Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia.

Many African players say their ambitions have been shaped by Morocco’s historic run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals. Morocco defeated Belgium, Spain, and Portugal before eventually finishing fourth, a feat that transformed perceptions of what African teams can achieve on the global stage.

South Africa captain Ronwen Williams said Morocco’s breakthrough had inspired players across the continent to believe a World Cup title challenge is no longer beyond reach.

“What Morocco did was the start for us as Africans to believe that we can go far,” Williams said, adding that improvements in African football infrastructure, domestic leagues, and continental competitions have strengthened the continent’s competitiveness.

That belief will be put to an early test when South Africa and Morocco meet in one of the tournament’s most anticipated all-African clashes. The fixture is expected to showcase the growing quality of African football, pitting the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists against a South African side seeking to establish itself among the continent’s elite.

For South Africa, the encounter represents an opportunity to measure its progress against one of Africa’s most successful teams in recent years. For Morocco, it is another chance to demonstrate why many analysts consider the Atlas Lions among the strongest contenders from outside Europe and South America.

Similar optimism has been expressed across several African camps. Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye said his team’s objective is to compete for the title rather than simply participate in the tournament.

The expanded World Cup has also provided opportunities for emerging football nations. DR Congo is making its first World Cup appearance in more than five decades, while Cabo Verde is featuring in the tournament for the first time in its history.

Traditional African contenders such as Morocco, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, and Egypt are expected to carry much of the continent’s hopes for a deep run in the competition.

Football analysts believe the new tournament format, which allows more teams to progress beyond the group stage, could improve the chances of African nations advancing to the latter rounds. With a record number of representatives and growing confidence across the continent, many observers see the 2026 tournament as Africa’s best opportunity yet to make further World Cup history.

As the competition unfolds across North America, the spotlight will not only be on individual nations but on whether Africa’s largest-ever World Cup contingent can build on Morocco’s landmark achievement and push even closer to football’s ultimate prize.