The President of the Confédération Africaine de Football, Patrice Motsepe, has praised African teams for delivering a record-breaking performance at the FIFA World Cup 2026, describing the outing as a major milestone in the continent’s football development.
In a statement released by CAF, Motsepe commended the 10 African nations that participated in the tournament, noting that nine of them progressed from the group stage to the Round of 32—the highest qualification rate ever recorded by African teams in World Cup history.
The countries that represented Africa include Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia.
According to the CAF president, Africa made up 20.8 percent of the teams at the tournament but contributed an impressive 28.1 percent of those that reached the knockout stage, underscoring the continent’s growing competitiveness on the global stage.
Motsepe singled out Morocco for reaching the quarter-finals for the second consecutive World Cup, while Egypt advanced to the Round of 16.
He also applauded the performances of other teams, including Senegal, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and South Africa, describing their efforts as evidence of steady progress.
He emphasized that the achievements reflect years of investment in African football, but added that there is still room for improvement.
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To build on this success, CAF plans to organize a strategic conference involving national team coaches, technical experts, and former players to review the 2026 campaign and prepare for the 2030 edition.
“We are proud of what our teams have accomplished, but we are also focused on what comes next,” Motsepe said. “This progress shows that Africa is moving in the right direction, and we believe even greater success is possible.”
The CAF president also reiterated the need for improved football infrastructure across the continent, stressing that every member association should have stadiums that meet international standards.
He added that strengthening domestic leagues, youth development, and coaching education remains a top priority.
Motsepe expressed confidence that with sustained investment and strategic planning, an African nation could soon win the FIFA World Cup.
“Africa’s football future is bright,” he said. “We are committed to making African football among the best in the world.”
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