Former African stars split over continent’s 2026 World Cup prospects

DAKAR: Former Senegal forward El Hadji Diouf has backed CAF president Patrice Motsepe’s view that an African side can win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while ex-Nigeria captain Jay-Jay Okocha has voiced doubts about whether a team from the continent can go all the way.

The debate comes after Morocco’s landmark run to the semi-finals at the last World Cup in Qatar, where the North African side defeated Spain and Portugal before losing to France. With the next tournament to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico and expanded to 48 teams, attention has turned to whether an African nation can improve on that achievement.

Speaking to AFP, Diouf said Africa should aim for the title and pointed to Senegal’s squad strength as a reason for optimism.

"Why not?,"

Diouf said when asked if an African captain could lift the trophy near New York on July 19.

"Take my own country. We have amazing players like Sadio (Mane), Idrissa (Gueye) and Edouard (Mendy). "They can match stars from any country. The 2026 World Cup -- Africa is going there to win the tournament."

Motsepe, the 64-year-old South African who moved from leading 2016 African club champions Mamelodi Sundowns to heading CAF, expressed similar confidence. He said Africa’s main shortcoming in previous tournaments had been belief, adding that Morocco’s 2022 campaign had changed perceptions.

"We are confident that the 10 African national teams at the 2026 World Cup will make us proud and that an African nation will be champions. "What we lacked in the past was self belief. Morocco changed that in Qatar four years ago. We can match the best in the world."

He also told AFP:

"I will work relentlessly until I see the captain of an African nation lifting the greatest football prize,"

Okocha urges caution

Okocha, who represented Nigeria at multiple World Cups including the 1994 tournament in the United States, recalled that competition as a memorable one for his country.

"My abiding memory of 1994 was the amazing atmosphere. Add the fact that it was the first World Cup appearance by Nigeria and it was special,"

he told reporters.

But on the 2026 edition, he said he was less certain about Africa’s chances because of the broader rise of teams from other regions.

"Regarding the 2026 tournament, I am concerned about the chances of an African team going all the way. "We talk a lot about the title contenders from Europe and South America, but what about the North Americans and Asians? They are improving rapidly. "I will be very happy to be proven wrong. African footballers have shocked the world before. Let us hope it happens again."

Morocco and Senegal seen as leading hopes

Many African players, coaches and officials view Morocco and Senegal as the strongest among the continent’s 10 qualifiers.

Senegal defeated Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, but CAF later overturned the result after Morocco appealed over a temporary walk-off by some Senegal players following a penalty decision. Senegal then took the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and is awaiting a verdict.

Morocco, captained by Achraf Hakimi, have been drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti. The Atlas Lions would be expected to finish at least second in the group.

Senegal are in Group I with France, Norway and Iraq, in what is described as one of the toughest groups. Senegal coach Pape Thiaw, who was on the bench when his country beat defending champions France in the opening match of the 2002 World Cup in Seoul, said the upcoming meeting carries special significance.

"That (2002) is history. We know the current French team well. It is going to be a special match and let us hope we win again,"

he said in Dakar.

Other African teams set different targets

While some figures have spoken of winning the tournament, other coaches have set more modest objectives.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan told reporters in Cairo that simply reaching and competing at the World Cup remains difficult, though he said his players want to surpass the country’s previous record. Egypt first appeared at the World Cup 92 years ago and have qualified only twice since, with the seven-time African champions still seeking their first win at the tournament.

"Reaching the World Cup is complicated and playing there is even harder,"

Hassan said.

"However, I see great ambition in my players. They want to achieve more than what Egypt did in the past."

Recently appointed Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi also struck a cautious note. Tunisia have qualified for six World Cups and exited in the first round on each occasion.

"I am not going to tell stories by pretending we will repeat what Morocco did in 2022. But who knows, maybe one day,"

he told Tunisian media.

The 10 African teams in the 2026 World Cup are Algeria, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.