Motsepe Confident Africa Will Produce Future FIFA World Cup Champions

Motsepe Confident Africa Will Produce Future FIFA World Cup Champions

By Niyi Busari 

Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe has expressed confidence that an African nation will soon win the FIFA World Cup, following what he described as the continent's strongest-ever performance at the 2026 tournament, BSNSports.com.ng reports.

Africa was represented by 10 teams at the expanded 48-nation competition—Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia. Nine of the 10 nations progressed to the knockout stage, marking a 90 per cent qualification rate that CAF says is the highest in the continent's World Cup history.

According to CAF, African teams accounted for 20.8 per cent of the tournament's participants but made up 28.1 per cent of the Round of 32 qualifiers, a figure surpassed only by UEFA's representation in the knockout phase.

Morocco once again led the continent's challenge by reaching the quarter-finals for the second consecutive World Cup, building on its historic semi-final appearance at Qatar 2022. Egypt also impressed by advancing to the Round of 16, while Cabo Verde, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, DR Congo, South Africa, Ghana and Tunisia were commended for their performances during the tournament.

"I am very proud of their performances," Motsepe said in a statement, describing Africa's record qualification rate for the knockout rounds as a landmark achievement for the continent.

The CAF president revealed that the governing body has identified key areas requiring improvement and will convene a technical conference involving national team coaches, technical staff, former players and football experts. The meeting will review Africa's performance at the 2026 World Cup and develop recommendations aimed at strengthening preparations for the 2030 tournament.

Motsepe also reaffirmed CAF's commitment to investing in youth development, grassroots football and the professional game across its 54 member associations, stressing that sustained investment remains central to Africa's ambition of competing consistently with the world's leading football nations.

Speaking after the tournament, Motsepe said CAF would continue working closely with players, coaches and other stakeholders to realise the long-held dream of an African nation lifting the FIFA World Cup trophy, while acknowledging that further planning, investment and development are needed to bridge the gap with the sport's traditional powerhouses.