FIFA has confirmed that at least nine African teams will compete in the 2026 World Cup. This announcement marks a major victory for African football, as it represents the highest number of teams from the continent ever to participate in the tournament.
The confirmation came from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the 46th Confederation of African Football (CAF) Ordinary General Assembly. The event, held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, gathered football leaders and delegates from across the continent to discuss the future of the sport in Africa.
Infantino made it clear that the expanded format of the World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, is designed to give African nations more opportunities to shine on the global stage.
“In the 2026 World Cup, there will be nine or 10 African countries participating,” Infantino said, as he addressed the assembly.
This move comes as part of FIFA’s larger strategy to promote football globally, with an emphasis on emerging talent and underrepresented regions. Infantino urged African countries to take advantage of this opportunity by investing more in youth football.
The decision to increase the number of African teams in the 2026 World Cup is a monumental one. Previously, only five African teams could qualify for the tournament, limiting the continent’s chances to showcase its talents.
With the new format, Africa will now have more representation, and this could lead to even greater success for African nations at the tournament. Infantino emphasized that the future of African football lies in its young players.
“I encourage all of you to continue investing in youth football because those kids, those girls and boys, will be the stars of tomorrow,” he said.
African football has always been rich with talent, but many experts believe that the key to sustained success is nurturing young players early on.
In recent years, there has been growing attention on youth football academies and grassroots development across the continent. Countries like Nigeria, Senegal, and Ghana have already produced world-class talents, many of whom started their careers at local youth academies before making it big in Europe.
With FIFA’s support, many African football associations are now investing in programs that focus on developing the next generation of players.
Beyond the men’s game, FIFA is also looking to expand opportunities for African women in football. Infantino revealed that FIFA is considering increasing the number of African teams that qualify for the FIFA Women’s World Cup from four to six.
This would be a significant step forward for women’s football in Africa, which has seen impressive growth over the last decade. Teams like Nigeria’s Super Falcons have already made their mark on the global stage, and with more spots available, other nations will have the chance to shine.
During the assembly, Infantino also confirmed that Morocco is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030. This historic event will make Morocco the second African country to host the tournament, following South Africa’s successful hosting of the 2010 World Cup.
Morocco has long been a football powerhouse in Africa, and this announcement has brought excitement to fans across the continent. Hosting the 2030 World Cup will be a proud moment for the country and a testament to the progress African football has made on the global stage.
At the same CAF General Assembly, Ethiopia’s President, Taye Atske Selassie, made an appeal to CAF members to support Ethiopia’s bid to host the 2029 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). Ethiopia is aiming to bring the prestigious tournament to its soil, and the government is committed to making the necessary investments to ensure a successful event.
Atske Selassie emphasized the importance of bringing major football tournaments to Africa, especially as African-born players continue to play key roles in international football.
“The key to elevating the football sport and nurturing young talent lies in the scaling up of the collective efforts,” said Atske Selassie.
His call was met with support from CAF President Patrice Motsepe, who encouraged Ethiopia’s football federation to work closely with the government to submit a formal proposal for hosting AFCON 2029.
“We are very excited about Ethiopia’s intention to submit a proposal to host the AFCON 2029. The success of football is what happens in Ethiopia, what happens in other parts of the continent,” Motsepe said.
The 46th CAF General Assembly was not only about the future; it was also a celebration of African football’s rich history. Several former football stars, including Samuel Eto’o, Jay-Jay Okocha, and El-Hadji Diouf, were present at the event.
