Former Senegal forward El Hadji Diouf believes the continent can produce a World Cup-winning captain in 2026, echoing the optimism of Confederation of African Football (CAF) president Patrick Motsepe. However, Nigeria legend Jay-Jay Okocha is more cautious about Africa going all the way, pointing to the rapid improvement of rivals from North America and Asia.
Diouf and Motsepe’s confidence is rooted in the progress African sides have shown in recent major tournaments. Morocco, for example, stunned both Spain and Portugal en route to the semi-finals at the last World Cup in Qatar four years ago, only to be stopped by France at that stage.
With the United States, Canada and Mexico preparing to co-host a record 48-team tournament, many across the game are asking whether Africa can push beyond the breakthrough glimpses seen in 2022—or whether that success was an exception rather than the start of a sustained surge.
Diouf and Motsepe: “Why not?” for 2026
When Diouf was asked by AFP whether an African captain could lift the trophy on July 19 near New York, he answered with a firm “Why not?”
He pointed to Senegal’s talent as proof that the continent can compete at the highest level, citing players such as Sadio Mane, Idrissa Gueye and Edouard Mendy. Diouf argued that African teams can match the quality of any nation and insisted Africa’s 2026 campaign is headed with the intention to win the tournament.
Motsepe, who is 64 and has led CAF since taking over as head of the organisation after previously serving as chairman of 2016 African club champions Mamelodi Sundowns, aligned himself with that message.
He said the 10 African national teams expected to be at the 2026 World Cup will make the continent proud, and that he expects an African nation to become champions. Motsepe also suggested the key missing ingredient in earlier cycles was self-belief, adding that Morocco’s performance in Qatar changed perceptions. He believes Africa can match the best teams in the world and has stated he will keep working until he sees an African captain hoisting the sport’s top prize.
Okocha’s hesitation: the challenge of going deep
While Okocha shared respect for Africa’s chances, he voiced concern about whether an African team can reach the final steps of the tournament. The midfield star, who represented Nigeria at multiple World Cups including the 1994 edition in the United States, described his strongest memories of that tournament and stressed how special Nigeria’s first appearance on the global stage was.
On the upcoming World Cup, Okocha said he is worried that the discussion about contenders is often limited to Europe and South America, while teams from North America and Asia are improving quickly. He added that he would be delighted to be proven wrong, noting that African football has shocked the world before and hoping it happens again.
Africa’s strongest hopes and the context behind them
There is a widespread view across the continent’s football community—among players, coaches and officials—that Morocco and Senegal are the most formidable options among the 10 qualifiers.
Senegal did defeat Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final. However, CAF overturned the result after an appeal by the losing side, with the argument linked to a temporary walk-off by some Senegal players following a penalty incident. Senegal then responded by appealing the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and the team is awaiting the ruling.
Morocco, captained by Achraf Hakimi, are drawn in Group C alongside five-time world champions Brazil, Scotland and Haiti. With that line-up, the Atlas Lions are expected to finish at least second.
Senegal are placed in Group I against France, Norway and Iraq, a section widely considered among the toughest of the tournament’s 12 mini-leagues.
Senegal’s connection to big-match World Cup moments runs deep. Coach Pape Thiaw was a substitute when Senegal stunned then-defending champions France in their opening match at the 2002 World Cup in Seoul.
Speaking from Dakar, Thiaw said that moment is now history, but that the current France squad is well known. He described the next meeting as likely to be special and expressed hope that Senegal can repeat the feat.
Not everyone is thinking only about titles
Even as African football fans dream of lifting the ultimate prize, some coaches are setting more immediate targets.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan—himself a former star—told reporters in Cairo that qualifying for the World Cup is complicated and that playing at the tournament is even harder. Still, he said he sees strong ambition in his players and believes they want to go beyond what Egypt have achieved in the past.
Egypt entered the World Cup for the first time 92 years ago and have made only two additional appearances since then. The record seven-time African champions are still searching for their first win at the global event.
Recently appointed Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi was blunt about the challenge of repeating past successes. Tunisia have qualified for six World Cups but have exited after the first round on each occasion. Lamouchi said he would not pretend they can simply reproduce what Morocco achieved in 2022, though he left the door open for a breakthrough at some point.
Who is in the frame for 2026 from Africa
The African contenders for the 2026 tournament are Algeria, Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.
