2026 World Cup Final

Patrice Motsepe, the head of African football, stated at a news conference on Wednesday in Johannesburg that he thinks an African team may make it to the 2026 World Cup final. According to the South African millionaire, "Morocco opened the door by reaching the semi-finals this month, and I am convinced an African nation will go further at the next World Cup." "An African nation winning the World Cup is the primary goal of CAF (Confederation of African Football), and that target is doable."

Up from five in Qatar, there will be nine or ten African qualifiers for a 48-team World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026. By being the first African representative to get to the semifinals in Qatar, Morocco achieved history. In addition to shocking Belgium in the group stage, the Atlas Lions also defeated Spain and Portugal in the elimination round before falling to France in the semifinals.

According to Motsepe, at least ten African countries are capable of competing at the highest level and winning the World Cup. He also praised Cameroon and Tunisia for their shocking group-stage triumphs over Brazil, the five-time World Cup winner, and France, the two-time champion. "We should be pleased with what Tunisia and Cameroon have accomplished. These nations, as well as others in Africa, must take Morocco's lead "the CAF president remarked. Senegal made it to the round of 16 before being eliminated after suffering a crushing loss to England, but the surprise victory were not enough to advance Cameroon and Tunisia through the opening round.

Senegal, the current African champions, were dealt a severe pre-tournament blow when star striker Sadio Mane was forced to withdraw due to injury. While stating that a disagreement between the CAF and the sports agency Lagardere had been "settled amicably," Motsepe declined to provide further information, citing a confidentiality agreement. In 2017, Lagardere agreed to a one billion dollar (940 million euro) contract with the African football organization based in Cairo. The deal was set to last until 2028.

The broadcast and marketing agreement was, however, terminated after just one year because it was found to have violated competition laws in two court decisions. A senior CAF official, who asked to remain anonymous, told AFP that his organization would give Lagardere $25 million in installments to end the conflict. Algeria, Benin, Morocco, Nigeria, and Zambia are among the nations that want to host the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, according to Motsepe, after Guinea recently withdrew, claiming they were "not ready."