CAF President Patrice Motsepe eyes Africa success at 2026 World Cup

President of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Dr Patrice Motsepe is optimistic an African country can annex the 2026 World Cup title.

The next soccer mundial will be co-hosted by Mexico, Canada and the USA.

Africa’s representation at the most prominent soccer mundial has been increased from five to nine following FIFA’s decision to expand the number of participating countries to 48.

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers was held on Thursday during the 45th CAF General Assembly in Ivory Coast.

From the nine groups of six, the winner of each group will gain automatic qualification to the World Cup while the four best runners-up from the groups will play a mini-play-off tournament.

The tournament winner will proceed to play in an intercontinental play-off and could become the 10th African team to qualify for the competition.

Speaking after the draw, Motsepe said he hopes an African country will annex the title for the first time in history in 2026.

“I was saying to Gianni, whenever there is an African competition (AFCON) always want him to be nearby handing over the trophy to the winner of the AFCON because we want Africa to get used to receiving trophies from the President of FIFA. So in 2026, we are very excited that this trophy should go to the African continent”

“I think the exciting thing for us is that Morocco has shown us, made us proud and Morocco has indicated that indeed an African Nation can go to the semifinal and then, we are optimistic that the next World Cup, an African nation will go one step further”