Is the World Cup 2026 a moment of glory for African teams?

[W Jr.]

The Egypt and Australia match yesterday was a very disappointing moment for the African team against the next round as expected we hope so much in Egypt to be one of the driving team for Africa this next round, although the match was a draw 1:1 which to some extent we can still mark is as good for Africa even though no point was added, Ghana lost 1 zero to Colombia today another Africa team just got knocked out of the world cup.

Egypt undoubtedly brings joy to an entire nation. The downside is that they're facing a rival like Argentina, but then again, Cape Verde almost beat them and they don't have the same pedigree as the Pharaohs. To be honest, I'd love for the Pharaohs to beat Argentina. So, given this, things are really worth watching now. Anything can happen; we're not talking about surprises anymore, we're talking about merit, about goals.

Cape Verde's goalie was phenomenal in that game. Sometimes, we just need a phenomenal player to change the trajectory of the game. Anyways, I doubt if Morocco and Egypt can surpass their next opponent respectively; those two teams they're about to face are the elite of elites in football right now, winning them will be a tough pill to swallow; but if they do, that'll be a historical feat.

Morocco reached the semi-finals at the last World Cup and managed to knock out big teams like Spain and Portugal, and they also gave France a hard time. At this World Cup they are playing very well again, with a solid defense and an efficient attack, and somehow I believe in their team more that they could surprise and knock out France than I think Egypt can surprise Argentina.
I think the day is not far when we will see an African team in the World Cup final. If a small country like Croatia could play in the 2018 final, so can an African team, why not?

If an African team is going to play in the World Cup final, it will probably be Morocco. In recent years, with their young and talented players, Morocco has been at a very high level. Their style of play makes things very difficult for European teams because they always play a running and striving style. From what I've seen, they seem more devoted to their jersey and their country. They will have a very tough time against France, but I believe they can succeed. France scored a goal against Paraguay with difficulty. Morocco is also a team with a good defense and they are very good in attack. Morocco could pull off a big surprise against them.

[Lida93]

I don't see any team less at any level no matter who they are playing...

I share this mindset too. I don't believe there are minors in football. It doesn't exist anymore or even the famed "home advantage" is long dead and buried.

My ideology about football has always being that any team that plays well stand a chance of either winning the game or getting a draw irrespective of the strength or reputation of the opponent, hence any team can be beaten at any point in time.
We saw how the Netherland team was eliminated by the Morrocans, the recent shocker is Brazil being beaten by Norway, Indeed the game is no respecter or persons or any country.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

I don't see any team less at any level no matter who they are playing...

I share this mindset too. I don't believe there are minors in football. It doesn't exist anymore or even the famed "home advantage" is long dead and buried.

My ideology about football has always being that any team that plays well stand a chance of either winning the game or getting a draw irrespective of the strength or reputation of the opponent, hence any team can be beaten at any point in time.
We saw how the Netherland team was eliminated by the Morrocans, the recent shocker is Brazil being beaten by Norway, Indeed the game is no respecter or persons or any country.

Of course yes but someone saying that home advantage is long dead and buried is a lie, and whether we all believe this or not, there is still such a thing as home advantage, take for example the recently happening in fifa where a player that is not supposed to be allowed to play any international match for one year straight has been called back to the pitch because USA was involved and according to reports, the player was called back because the US president in the person of Donald Trump had to intervene which forced fifa to look for a loophole in their own rule to use as reason for calling the player back to the pitch, and this is ahead of the match between the USA and Belgium that will be played tomorrow.

There is also still a thing as favorism in football, like we clearly saw during the AFCON where it was so clear that CAF was trying everything they could to favor Morocco, the host country to win the AFCON.

[Lida93]

Snip

Of course yes but someone saying that home advantage is long dead and buried is a lie, and whether we all believe this or not, there is still such a thing as home advantage, take for example the recently happening in fifa where a player that is not supposed to be allowed to play any international match for one year straight has been called back to the pitch because USA was involved and according to reports, the player was called back because the US president in the person of Donald Trump had to intervene which forced fifa to look for a loophole in their own rule to use as reason for calling the player back to the pitch, and this is ahead of the match between the USA and Belgium that will be played tomorrow.

There is also still a thing as favorism in football, like we clearly saw during the AFCON where it was so clear that CAF was trying everything they could to favor Morocco, the host country to win the AFCON.

Anybody playing down on the idea of home advantage or favouritism is just being ignorant of certain things that exist in football even in this modern football or how do you explain how Folarin Bolagun's red card got overturned by FIFA when the player is yet to serve his ban, that's favouritism and double standard on the side of FIFA which is now generating serious debate about FIFA's integrity, this shows that some countries and players are being protected by the football's governing body just as we saw in the AFCON with Morroco.

[hedgeh0g]

My ideology about football has always being that any team that plays well stand a chance of either winning the game or getting a draw irrespective of the strength or reputation of the opponent, hence any team can be beaten at any point in time.
We saw how the Netherland team was eliminated by the Morrocans, the recent shocker is Brazil being beaten by Norway, Indeed the game is no respecter or persons or any country.

Nevertheless, at the beginning of the playoffs, namely in the round of 32, there were many African teams, and almost all of them were eliminated in this round. But I'm still pleased that the dominant European football has changed direction and we're increasingly seeing African teams play well. Many of them missed out on advancing to the next stage by a hair, and it was especially painful to watch Senegal, who simply had bad luck against Belgium. It was a crazy match, in my opinion, although it's matches like these that make me love football, and perhaps we'll see something similar at the World Cup.

[Mpamaegbu]

Of course yes but someone saying that home advantage is long dead and buried is a lie, and whether we all believe this or not, there is still such a thing as home advantage, take for example the recently happening in fifa where a player that is not supposed to be allowed to play any international match for one year straight has been called back to the pitch because USA was involved and according to reports, the player was called back because the US president in the person of Donald Trump had to intervene which forced fifa to look for a loophole in their own rule to use as reason for calling the player back to the pitch, and this is ahead of the match between the USA and Belgium that will be played tomorrow.

Knowing the person of Donald Trump, we shouldn't doubt. He would've also pulled the same stunt were the tournament hosted outside the USA. By the way, that wasn't even the type of home advantage I talked about in my previous post. It was home advantage on the pitch of play.

There is also still a thing as favorism in football, like we clearly saw during the AFCON where it was so clear that CAF was trying everything they could to favor Morocco, the host country to win the AFCON.

It really wasn't favouritism from what was made available as at then. CAF merely implemented its rule that warns players not to walk out on an ongoing match. Once that happens, the match is awarded to the opposing team. You know there are rules and regulations and there's also the political win to enforce it.

Anybody playing down on the idea of home advantage or favouritism is just being ignorant of certain things that exist in football...

I don't think it's a wise thing to call those who disagree with a point of view you share ignorant. It's actually rude.

You may want to also read up on history that Balogun's case wasn't the first time such a situation happened in world cup history. It happened in 1962 World Cup hosted by Chile where a Brazilian player, Manuel Francisco (Garrincha), stumped on a Chilean and was red carded during their semi final encounter. That decision was later overturned, allowing the Brazilian player in during their final match with Czechoslovakia which Brazil went ahead to win. That tournament was in Chile and the final was also played in Chile. We may argue that this recent Article 27 by FIFA wasn't in place then but what about when CR7 was also to serve a three match ban during Portugal's qualifiers in 2022 and it was suspended so CR7 could play Portugal's opening matches for the world cup that year hosted by Qatar? The same Article 27 was in place.

[Sithara007]

Two African teams remain as of now, but the prospects doesn't look great. Morocco has advanced to PQF stage, thanks to goals from Azzedine Ounahi and Soufiane Rahimi. But in the Quarterfinals, they will be facing France. Egypt on the other hand, managed to defeat Australia in Round of 32, but in PQF stage, they need to face Argentina. So the two remaining African teams are scheduled to face two of the strongest teams in this tournament. I am not saying that an upset or two is not impossible. But the chances are low. Morocco doesn't look as strong as they were in 2022.

This is the point where we sit to accept the fact that going beyond this point takes a lot of mental work considering that with what we have now, our chances of advancing beyond this point is actually slim. France and Argentina is definitely a very hard knot to crack for us but we just have to keep believing and keep being positive that we can take something away from both game. if we get a win in both games, that will be extremely crazy but fact is that it is still very possible. morocco seams to be the better of the two African teams that have advanced so far but pairing them against France makes it even more difficult. Egypt Argentina on paper looks hard for Egypt but it is easier than playing against France.

I agree when you say that Morocco has been the better of the two teams. But in order to defeat France, they need a miracle. And regarding Egypt, I don't have much hope. It will be outlandish to say that they stand a chance against Argentina. That said, CAF teams have done exceptionally well this time (and more so when we compare with the performance from the AFC and CONCACAF teams). Apart from Morocco and Egypt, teams such as Cape Verde and Côte d'Ivoire also did well. I won't be surprised if FIFA decides to increase the number of slots awarded to CAF and CONMEBOL, and reduce it from AFC and CONCACAF.

[OsaiEmma]

I agree when you say that Morocco has been the better of the two teams. But in order to defeat France, they need a miracle. And regarding Egypt, I don't have much hope. It will be outlandish to say that they stand a chance against Argentina. That said, CAF teams have done exceptionally well this time (and more so when we compare with the performance from the AFC and CONCACAF teams). Apart from Morocco and Egypt, teams such as Cape Verde and Côte d'Ivoire also did well. I won't be surprised if FIFA decides to increase the number of slots awarded to CAF and CONMEBOL, and reduce it from AFC and CONCACAF.

They'll need a miracle indeed. It will be the hardest game in the tournament for them so far; scaling through will be nothing short of a miracle honestly.

But, I do think a good strategy too can beat France. If Morocco do play a more physical football, that could help them a little. France do have very fast, skillful, and strong attackers; having a solid defensive midfield and back-line defense will really help them; then if they can drag it to penalties, Morocco will be playing on a level playing field with France.

[Marvelockg]

I don't see any team less at any level no matter who they are playing...

I share this mindset too. I don't believe there are minors in football. It doesn't exist anymore or even the famed "home advantage" is long dead and buried.

My ideology about football has always being that any team that plays well stand a chance of either winning the game or getting a draw irrespective of the strength or reputation of the opponent, hence any team can be beaten at any point in time.
We saw how the Netherland team was eliminated by the Morrocans, the recent shocker is Brazil being beaten by Norway, Indeed the game is no respecter or persons or any country.

A team doesn't just all of a sudden start to play well. they play well because they have better players and are tactical enough to handle their opponent. Norway were way better in terms of squad than brazil regardless the past glory that brazil still has. before the start of the game, it was already clear that brazil were going to suffer but the fact that they had  a reputation they were also fighting to protect helped them remain in the game till halland eventually tore them apart.

like the remaining key African games we still have, it goes beyond those African teams being able to play. they have to build this strong mentality that believes in themselves that they are capable of winning the likes of Argentina and France if not, they might start by having all the advantage but at the end of the day, they get knocked out. in modern football, you have to be ready to play from start to the end as a fearless team or else, your opponent will come at you like you are already a work over and by the time they press at you consistently, they will eventually break you down and get the lead.

[Daniel91]

The Egypt and Australia match yesterday was a very disappointing moment for the African team against the next round as expected we hope so much in Egypt to be one of the driving team for Africa this next round, although the match was a draw 1:1 which to some extent we can still mark is as good for Africa even though no point was added, Ghana lost 1 zero to Colombia today another Africa team just got knocked out of the world cup.

Egypt undoubtedly brings joy to an entire nation. The downside is that they're facing a rival like Argentina, but then again, Cape Verde almost beat them and they don't have the same pedigree as the Pharaohs. To be honest, I'd love for the Pharaohs to beat Argentina. So, given this, things are really worth watching now. Anything can happen; we're not talking about surprises anymore, we're talking about merit, about goals.

Cape Verde's goalie was phenomenal in that game. Sometimes, we just need a phenomenal player to change the trajectory of the game. Anyways, I doubt if Morocco and Egypt can surpass their next opponent respectively; those two teams they're about to face are the elite of elites in football right now, winning them will be a tough pill to swallow; but if they do, that'll be a historical feat.

Morocco reached the semi-finals at the last World Cup and managed to knock out big teams like Spain and Portugal, and they also gave France a hard time. At this World Cup they are playing very well again, with a solid defense and an efficient attack, and somehow I believe in their team more that they could surprise and knock out France than I think Egypt can surprise Argentina.
I think the day is not far when we will see an African team in the World Cup final. If a small country like Croatia could play in the 2018 final, so can an African team, why not?

If an African team is going to play in the World Cup final, it will probably be Morocco. In recent years, with their young and talented players, Morocco has been at a very high level. Their style of play makes things very difficult for European teams because they always play a running and striving style. From what I've seen, they seem more devoted to their jersey and their country. They will have a very tough time against France, but I believe they can succeed. France scored a goal against Paraguay with difficulty. Morocco is also a team with a good defense and they are very good in attack. Morocco could pull off a big surprise against them.

I agree with you.
In the past, there have been several African teams that have been very good at World Cups and achieved good results and reached the knockout stage, such as Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana, etc. but they always lacked something for the final step, tactical discipline, team organization, player immaturity, etc.
Morocco is tactically excellent, very good in defense, they have an experienced team and already at the last World Cup they showed how strong they are and that they can play equally with the best European teams.
If any of the African teams has a chance for the final, it is them.