JOHANNESBURG – Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Dr Patrice Motsepe has hailed Africa’s record-breaking performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying the continent has earned the world’s respect and is closer than ever to producing its first world champion.
Speaking at a media briefing in Johannesburg on 22 July, Motsepe celebrated the historic achievement of nine of Africa’s 10 representatives progressing from the group stage to the Round of 32 in the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup.
The teams to reach the knockout stages were Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and South Africa. Tunisia was the only African side to miss out.
For the first time, Africa had 10 places at the FIFA World Cup under the expanded tournament format, and the continent made the most of the opportunity.
Motsepe described the campaign as a defining moment for African football.
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“Significant progress and successes were achieved by the African National Teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026, and I am very proud of their performances. The nine African National Teams that qualified from the Group Stage to the Round of 32 made history, as this is 90% of the teams that participated, and is the highest percentage to qualify to date,” said Motsepe.
‘We Must End the Inferiority Complex’
Motsepe also urged African football leaders and supporters to stop viewing the continent as subordinate to the global football establishment.
“We have to stop the inferiority complex. We must move away from the idea that FIFA controls Africa. Do you mean Africa doesn’t have the capacity to speak for itself? FIFA respects us. Let’s stop the inferiority complex.”
He said CAF makes its own decisions while maintaining a strong working relationship with FIFA and the other continental confederations to grow the game.
Following Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals in 2022 and Africa’s unprecedented success in 2026, Motsepe believes the continent is now within touching distance of winning football’s biggest prize.
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“We are more convinced than ever before that we can do much better in the next World Cups. We came close. African teams are as good as the best in the world. The main objective is that an African nation will indeed win the World Cup. You have to believe, we have to believe.”
As preparations begin for the 2030 FIFA World Cup, CAF will conduct a comprehensive technical review involving national team coaches, technical experts and African football legends to assess the continent’s performances in 2026 and identify areas for further improvement.
The confederation also reaffirmed its commitment to investing in youth development, school football, coaching education, women’s football and modern football infrastructure across its 54 member associations.
With Africa enjoying its most successful FIFA World Cup campaign on record, CAF believes the foundations are now in place for the continent to challenge consistently for football’s biggest prize in the years ahead.
