African players believe the continent’s 10 representatives can challenge the world’s best at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, drawing confidence from Morocco’s historic run in Qatar.
With the tournament expanded to 48 teams, Africa will field Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia across Mexico, Canada and the United States.
No African nation has won the World Cup since its inception in 1930, though Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010 all reached the quarter-finals.
Morocco broke new ground in 2022 by becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals, and that achievement still fuels belief four years on.
Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye and South Africa captain Ronwen Williams say African teams can go even further this time.
Williams, who will lead Bafana Bafana, told the BBC that African football has been on the rise across leagues, CAF competitions and AFCON.
He credited Morocco’s run with giving the continent the belief it needed to compete at the highest level.
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Ndiaye echoed the sentiment, saying he would not travel to the World Cup if winning was not the goal. He urged African teams to use Morocco’s example as inspiration.
Former Ghana midfielder Michael Essien also said Africa’s chances have improved with the expanded format, adding that what is missing now is luck.
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