As the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in North America, I discover myself asking a query that hundreds of thousands of African soccer followers have requested for many years: can an African nation lastly win the World Cup?
For the first time in historical past, Africa may have 10 representatives at soccer’s greatest match. Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia will carry the goals of greater than a billion individuals throughout the continent.
After I take a look at that record, I see extra than simply soccer groups. I see a long time of wrestle, progress, heartbreak and hope.
I take into consideration Egypt turning into the first African nation to play at the World Cup in 1934. I take into consideration the years when Africa had just one consultant and was usually handled as an outsider in the international recreation. I take into consideration Cameroon surprising the world in 1990, Senegal gorgeous defending champions France in 2002, and Ghana coming inside inches of a semi-final place in 2010.
I additionally keep in mind the ache.
The controversial moments. The missed penalties. The slender defeats. The sensation that Africa was all the time shut however by no means fairly shut sufficient.
Then got here Qatar 2022.
I watched Morocco obtain one thing no African nation had ever finished earlier than. The Atlas Lions defeated Belgium, Spain and Portugal to succeed in the semi-finals. For the first time, I felt that the inconceivable now not seemed inconceivable.
Morocco modified the dialog.
Earlier than Qatar, many individuals spoke about African groups as outsiders. After Qatar, they began speaking about African groups as real contenders.
That’s the reason I imagine the 2026 World Cup could possibly be the match that modifications every little thing.
With 10 groups competing, Africa has by no means had a stronger presence at the World Cup. The continent has extra alternatives than ever earlier than to provide a champion.
But when I had to decide on the two African international locations most able to lifting the trophy, my picks can be Senegal and Morocco.
Morocco stays Africa’s strongest soccer story of current years. Their success in Qatar was not constructed on luck. It was constructed on organisation, self-discipline, tactical intelligence and perception.
Lots of the gamers who reached the semi-finals stay at the peak of their careers. They perceive what it takes to compete with the world’s elite nations. Extra importantly, they now not concern them.
The Atlas Lions have already damaged one barrier. Profitable the World Cup can be the subsequent.
Senegal is my different favorite.
The Teranga Lions possess one thing each profitable World Cup group wants: expertise, bodily energy, high quality gamers and a profitable mentality.
Over the final decade, Senegal have constantly remained amongst Africa’s strongest groups. They received the Africa Cup of Nations, have competed at a number of World Cups and proceed to provide gamers who carry out at the highest stage in Europe.
In contrast to earlier generations, this Senegal group understands easy methods to deal with strain. They know easy methods to win tough matches. They know easy methods to endure and survive when issues are usually not going their means.
That have might show essential in a match as demanding as the World Cup.
After all, profitable the competitors is not going to be simple.
Conventional powers akin to Brazil, Argentina, France, Germany, Spain and England will arrive with the identical ambition. Historical past stays firmly on their aspect.
No African nation has ever reached a World Cup closing, not to mention received one.
However historical past will not be a regulation of nature.
Each document exists till somebody breaks it.
For years, individuals stated an African group might by no means attain the semi-finals. Morocco proved them improper.
Now individuals say an African group can not win the World Cup.
Maybe they’re proper.
However maybe they’re solely proper till somebody proves in any other case.
As I put together to observe the 2026 World Cup unfold, I can not ignore the feeling that African soccer is getting into a brand new period. From Egypt’s lone look in 1934 to 10 representatives in 2026, the journey has been outstanding.
The numbers have grown.
The standard has improved.
The assumption is stronger than ever.
And if Africa is lastly going to provide a World Cup winner, I imagine Morocco and Senegal provide the continent’s finest probability of constructing historical past.
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