The African continent is resolutely determined to do better than during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Indeed, qualifying for the 2026 World Cup began last week. The competition will be held in three Central American countries, the United States, Canada and Mexico. After the brilliant participation in 2022, Africa hopes to do better in 2026 and is already sharpening its weapons.
Greater Representativeness
Among the innovations, the 2026 World Cup will be the first organized with 48 participating teams. This increase in participants also included a greater number of African representatives. Of the 48 countries, Africa will have 9 representatives. A ratio that is still very low for one of the best football Confederations in the world.
Before 1990, Africa was only allowed 3 participants. With the great epic of the Cameroon team which reached the quarter-finals in 1990, a first for an African country, the number of African participants increased to 5. It is therefore only 36 years later that Africa will have more countries at the biggest football competition in the world. It was a long-term fight, the African Football Federations filed requests, and legends of African football like Samuel Eto’o, Didier Drogba and Georges Weah pleaded this cause. It will therefore be done but the fact remains that this ratio of 9 teams out of 48 is still too low, Africa is still marginalized.
Do Better Than In 2022
The 2022 World Cup in Qatar remains the most beneficial competition for Africa in terms of results. For the first time in history, an African country, Morocco in this case, reached the semi-final. By beating Portugal and Spain, world champions in 2010. This heroic journey inspired an entire continent. The hard work has already begun with the determination to do better or even win the 2026 edition.
For the first two days of the Africa zone qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, the major nations were present. Morocco, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Egypt and Tunisia all won their first two matches. Cameroon, Mali, Senegal, South Africa and Ghana were content with a victory and a draw. Only Nigeria recorded two draws. 2026 shows promises and Africa will be there!
