Brazilian football legend, Pele, famously predicted in 1977 that an African team would win the World Cup by 2000. The exciting Indomitable Lions of Cameroon then wrote history in 1990 by becoming the first African nation to reach the quarterfinal stage, where they fell 3-2 to England in extra time.

The African promise beckoned. However, it took eight years for another team from the continent to advance to the quarterfinals. This time, a composed and confident Senegalese team knocked out 1-0 by Turkey via the golden goal rule.

Pele’s prediction never came to pass, even though he later extended it to 2010. That year, a swashbuckling Ghana became the third Africa country to reach the quarterfinals where they faced two-time champions Uruguay. The Black Stars were on course to write history but the hand of Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez stopped what would have been the winning goal right at the goalmouth. Ghanaian prized striker Asamoah Gyan skied the resultant penalty kick and immortality.

Football — Ghana's Jordan Ayew in action with Wales' Joe Rodon during an international friendly in Cardiff, Wales on June 2, 2026.

Photo credit: Action Images via Reuters

Morocco flirted with football greatness at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, powering past powerhouses Portugal, Spain on the way to a famous and historic semi-final appearance.

A final appearance at football’s grandest stage has been tantalizingly close, yet so far. Could 2026 be different? A record 10 African nations, the largest number in the history of the tournament, will be in USA, Canada and Mexico.

Reigning African champions Morocco, ranked seventh in the world by Fifa, may just be the team to write the next chapter. The Moroccan heroes of 2022 Qatar, Achraf Hakimi, Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat, and Azzedine Ounahi are still firing on all cylinders. Add Spain-born Real Madrid midfielder Brahim Diaz, the 2025 Afcon top scorer, who switched nationalities from Spain to Morocco in 2023, and you have a side that will scare any of the super heavyweights. The ability of the new coach, Mohamed Ouahbi, who took over from the proven Walid Regragui in March, is the grey area for the Atlas Lions.

Placed in Group C together with record five-time champions Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, the African champions will fancy their chances of advancing to the knockouts. Africa’s second best ranked team Senegal have the deadly and influential Sadio Mane, who will want to make up for missing the 2022 finals through injury. Goalie Edouard Mendy, giant defender Kalidou Koulibaly and midfielder Idrissa Gueye give the Lions of Teranga real spine. They reached the last 16 in Qatar but they are aging Lions and will face a real challenge just getting out of a tough Group I that also contains tourney favourites France, dangerous Norway and Iraq.

Football — Algeria's Rafik Belghali in action with Netherlands' Cody Gakpo on June 3, 2026.

Photo credit: Reuters

Africa’s number three side Algeria qualified in dominant fashion with eight wins, a draw and one loss. Saudi Arabia-based veteran winger Riyad Mahrez is the spark in this Desert Foxes as they confront defending champions Argentina, Australia and first-timers Jordan in Group J.

Egypt have played in four World Cups before and never registered a single win. Their biggest name over the last decade has been speedy forward Mo Salah, who has, however, had a rather nondescript record at the international level. Paradoxically, Egypt’s overreliance on Salah may be their Achilles heel. They have their work cut out against Belgium, Iran and New Zealand in Group G.

Ghana, even with rampaging Manchester City forward Antione Semenyo, failed to qualify for the 24-team 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and their level will be severely tested by England, Croatia and Panama. Tunisia, South Africa, debutants Cabo Verde and DR Congo will worry about registering a win first.

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