African players hopeful for success at World Cup

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Mexico, Canada and the United States, African players are rallying behind their nations. They want their teams to make an impact, inspired by Morocco’s remarkable success in Qatar last year, according to PUNCH Sports Extra.

This year, the tournament will feature 48 teams, with 10 African countries participating. These countries are Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia.

Since the World Cup started in 1930, no African country has won the tournament. Cameroon reached the quarter-finals in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010. Morocco made history in 2022 by being the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

Morocco’s impressive run continues to inspire players. Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye and South Africa’s captain Ronwen Williams believe that African teams can achieve even more in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Williams, who leads Bafana Bafana, thinks this World Cup marks another important moment for African football. He said, “We’ve been on the rise, the leagues, CAF, the African Champions League, AFCON. Everything has improved immensely. For so many countries to go out and compete at the highest level, it’s amazing.”

“What Morocco did, that was the start for us as Africans to believe that we can go far,” Williams added. “It starts with that belief, and then you need to go out and perform.”

Senegal’s Ndiaye agrees that having the right mindset matters. He stated, “I wouldn’t even bother packing my suitcase and travelling to the World Cup if it’s not to win it. I don’t play these tournaments to just be a tourist.”

He also mentioned, “What Morocco did at the last World Cup should give all African teams inspiration.”

Former Ghana midfielder Michael Essien thinks Africa’s chances have improved with the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams. He said, “There’s been a lot of progress. The only thing that’s missing is luck. We just have to keep believing, and hopefully one day it will happen.”