The President of the Confédération Africaine de Football (“CAF”), Dr Patrice Motsepe said on Wednesday that he was proud of the performances of the national teams of the 10 African countries at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Africa was represented by Algeria, Cabo Verde, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.
Nine of the 10 African national teams, which is 90 per cent, qualified from the Group Stage to the Round of 32 (Knockout Stage).
This is remarkable as it is the highest per centage in the history of this competition.
Africa represented 20.8 per cent of the 48 national teams that participated in the World Cup but constituted 28.1 per cent of the national teams that qualified from the Group Stage to the Round of 32.
This achievement was second only to UEFA, which had 40 per cent of its national teams qualify from the Group Stage to the Round of 32.
Egypt and Morocco reached the Round of 16. Morocco achieved a remarkable milestone by consecutively qualifying for the quarterfinals.
There were also impressive performances by Cabo Verde, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Ghana and Tunisia.
CONTINUED INVESTMENT
The President of CAF Dr Patrice Motsepe said: “Significant progress and successes were achieved by the African national teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and I am very proud of their performances. The nine African national teams that qualified from the Group Stage to the Round of 32 made history at the FIFA World Cup 2026, as this is 90 per cent of the African National Teams that participated, and is the highest per centage to qualify to date.
"The previous per centages of the African national teams to qualify to the Knockout Stage were; 40 per cent in 2022, none in 2018 and 40 per cent in 2014. We have also identified specific areas where there is room for improvement and I am confident that the coaches, technical teams and players will implement the necessary improvements.
"This will ensure even greater successes for African national teams in future FIFA World Cups. CAF will be hosting a conference and will invite the national team coaches, technical teams, former African national team players and other football experts and stakeholders to evaluate and assess the performances of the African teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026, with the objective of making recommendations that will ensure that the African national teams will be even more successful at the FIFA World Cup 2030.
"We will continue to train and invest in our boys and girls football players, amateur football, professional Football Leagues and our national teams in each of the 54 African countries to make African football globally competitive and among the best in the world.
"CAF is increasing its funding for the training of coaches at all levels and will be conducting numerous coaching training courses in each of the 6 CAF Regions or Zones on the African Continent. CAF is also focusing on increasing the quality and competitiveness of the CAF African Schools Football Championship as this is an important platform and initiative for the development and growth of African Youth Football.
"We will also strengthen and expand the partnerships between our Member Associations and the Governments and the private sector to develop, support, sponsor and grow football in each of the 54 African countries. These partnerships are also important for building, upgrading and maintaining football infrastructure and facilities in each of our Member Association Countries.
"Every National Team and Football Club must play its matches in their country and in front of their local supporters and fans. It is essential that in each of our 54 Member Association Countries there is a stadium that is at the requisite CAF and FIFA level.
"CAF is making enormous progress in developing and growing men and women football in Africa and making it among the best in the world. We remain confident that an African nation will be Champions of the FIFA World Cup.”
PRIZE BOOST FOR WAFCON
CAF also announced the significant increase in the prize money of the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (“WAFCON”) which is as follows:
The prize money of the Winner has been increased by 100 per cent to $2 million.
The total prize money has been increased from by 67 per cent from $3,475 million to $5.8 million.
The prize money of the Runner-up has been increased by 50 per cent to $750 000 and the prize money of the 3rd Position has been increased by 43 per cent.
Each of the 16 participating Women's National Teams will receive $150 000 in participation funding, an increase of $25 000 (20 per cent) from the $125 000 received in the previous edition.
Since the current CAF Leadership assumed office, the prize money of the Winner has increased by 900 per cent from $200 000 $2 million and the total prize money has increased by 495 per cent from $975 000 to $5.8 million.
The number of Women’s National Teams participating in the WAFCON has also increased from 8 to 16.
'PAMOJA' 2027 PROGRESS
Good progress is being made with the preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF AFCON PAMOJA 2027.
The Government of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are very much committed and cooperating with CAF to ensure that the stadiums, training facilities, accommodation, transport, safety and security, medical services, technology, broadcasting and other infrastructure and facilities are at the requisite levels for a successful AFCON PAMOJA.
CAF AFCON 2028, 2032 AND 2036 HOSTING BIDS
CAF has launched the bidding process for Member Associations interested in hosting AFCON 2028, 2032 and 2036.
The bidding process is progressing very well and numerous exciting bids have been submitted by potential host countries.
Announcements will be made in due course.
COMMERCIAL RIGHT INVITATION TO TENDER AFCON 2028-2032
CAF is also launching the Commercial Rights Invitation to Tender (“ITT”) for the AFCON 2028, 2032 and 2036.
CAF has received numerous attractive approaches from leading international marketing and commercial rights agencies to partner with CAF on the commercial rights of the AFCON 2028, 2032 and 2036.
The aim of the ITT is to maximise the financial returns and to enhance the overall commercial value of the AFCON Competition with the objective of contributing to the development and growth of football in each of CAF’s 54 Member Associations and of CAF’s Competitions.
THE 48TH CAF ORDINARY GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly will take place in Abuja, Nigeria, on 21 November.
CAF is grateful to the Government of Nigeria and the Nigeria Football Federation (“NFF”) for their cooperation and partnership.
The 48th CAF Ordinary General Assembly is expected to be a huge success and will contribute substantially to the development and growth of Football on the African Continent.