CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe commended the strong performance of African nations at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as a record nine teams advanced to the knockout stage.
For the first time in World Cup history, 90 percent of Africa’s representatives progressed beyond the group stage, highlighting the continent’s increasing impact in global football.
The nine African nations to reach the Round of 32 are Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and South Africa.
Motsepe praised players, coaches, and football administrators across Africa, calling the achievement historic and well deserved.
“On behalf of the CAF Member Associations that represent 54 African countries, I would like to express our heartfelt congratulations to the national team players and technical teams of Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and South Africa for their hard-earned and well-deserved qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32,” he said.
The CAF President stated that these performances demonstrate the quality, competitiveness, and rapid progress of football across Africa.
“The players and technical teams have made each of their countries proud and have also made the 1.6 billion people on the African continent and in the diaspora proud. The global competitiveness and world-class quality of African football is being recognized and highlighted by the victories and qualification to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 by each of the nine African national teams,” Motsepe added.
He attributed this success to sustained investment in youth development, coaching, domestic leagues, and football infrastructure.
“The hard work and investments in youth football development, coaching, professional football leagues and football infrastructure in each of CAF’s 54 Member Associations and in CAF competitions is bearing fruit. The governance, transparency, management, financial and auditing best practices that have been introduced have attracted new sponsors and partners, and these financial partnerships have contributed to the development and growth of African football,” he said.
Motsepe also congratulated the presidents and executive committees of the nine qualifying football associations and thanked African governments for their ongoing support in advancing the sport.
“I also want to congratulate the nine CAF Member Association presidents and their executive committees and thank the African governments for their cooperation and support of the CAF Member Associations in their countries,” he concluded.
