Dipo Olowookere
There is a widespread belief that an African nation will eventually achieve the ultimate prize and win the FIFA World Cup. This belief grew stronger when, for the first time ever in 2022, an African team reached the semi-finals. African nations are eager to surpass this achievement. Which African nations, according to some of the best African online betting sites and casinos, have the best odds of winning the world cup in 2026? In this article, we will take a look at the best national teams on the continent.
Morocco
Few fans would have given Morocco a chance of achieving an unlikely bid for World Cup glory heading into the tournament in 2002. However, they surpassed all expectations to become the first African nation to compete in the semi-finals of the competition. Their run to the last four was memorable, as they overcame both Spain and Portugal in dramatic fashion before finally being eliminated by subsequent runners-up France.
Morocco has often been seen as one of the most successful nations in Africa, as they were ranked the top national side from the region for three straight years between 1997 and 1999 by FIFA. They have constantly been a national side from the region that has made history, which was evident once again in 1986, as they became the first team from Africa to finish top of a World Cup group.
Senegal
Senegal has been one of the most consistent teams in the region throughout their history, and they have always threatened to play a huge role at major tournaments. As one of the most famous teams from the continent, they have reached the World Cup on multiple occasions, with their best showing coming in 2002, as they became just the second team from Africa to reach the quarterfinals. That edition of the World Cup put the African nations on the map, as Senegal created a major shock when they defeated the reigning world champions France in the group stage, before beating Sweden in the round of 16. Senegal finally managed to land a major honor for the first time in history in 2021, as they won the Africa Cup of Nations, ending a run of two straight final defeats in the tournament.
Ivory Coast
The Ivory Coast has produced some of the finest players to come out of Africa throughout history, with stars such as Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, and Kolo Toure all playing key roles in team success in Europe. At the national level, they achieved their most famous success in 1992, as they won the Africa Cup of Nations. However, further success has followed since then, as they won the same honor in 2015, before appearing in three straight editions of the World Cup between 2006 and 2015. But, there was often disappointment surrounding their performances at the major tournament, as they couldn’t make it through the group stage despite boasting one of the most exciting teams.
Cameroon
There are few more globally popular African national sides around than Cameroon. The nation has successfully qualified for the World Cup on eight occasions, which is more than any other side in the region. They also achieved qualification on four straight occasions between 1990 and 2002. However, they only made it out of the group stage on one occasion.
But, that successful campaign in 1990 remains one of the most celebrated victories achieved by the national team, as they grew supporters from all corners of the world before their eventual elimination at the hands of England. Cameroon has also won the Africa Cup of Nations on five occasions. The national side also holds the prestigious honor of being the only African side to have beaten Brazil in a competitive match, having achieved the feat in both the 2003 Confederations Cup and the 2022 World Cup.
Conclusion
There has been no shortage of success stories surrounding African nations throughout history, and it seems only a matter of time before a nation from the CAF region is able to achieve immortality by winning the FIFA World Cup. The sport in Africa remains at an all-time popularity level, with millions of fans watching domestic action from around Europe that features some of the brightest stars from Africa. It also promises to be an exciting 12 months of football within the nation with the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in January.
