Africa Can Reach World Cup Quarterfinals as Morocco, Senegal and Bafana Lead 2026 Hopes

Former Nigeria goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi believes Africa’s expanded representation at the upcoming FIFA World Cup will give the continent a genuine chance for more countries to challenge for a place in the quarterfinals and latter stages of the tournament. 

The 2026 tournament, which kicks off in Mexico on Thursday, 11 June 2026, will see a record ten African nations competing. 

Nine qualified automatically, while the Democratic Republic of Congo secured their spot through the playoffs. This marks a dramatic rise in participation compared to earlier decades, when Africa had just one representative in 1970 and 1974, two in the 1980s, and three by the 1994 finals in the United States.

Akpeyi, who featured for Nigeria at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, praised FIFA’s decision to increase Africa’s allocation.

“It is a wonderful opportunity for the continent. With more teams, Africa has a real chance to reach the knockout stages and even the quarterfinals. Our players are playing week in and week out in Europe for some of the world’s biggest teams. We also have a sizeable number of players that have already competed in the World Cup; now it’s up to us to seize this chance. I have been talking to some of my friends in other parts of the continent, there is an air of optimism not only in numbers but also in North America," Akpeyi told SportsBoom.co.za. 

Morocco and Senegal Will Go Far

The former Chippa United and Kaizer Chiefs shot-stopper believes the expanded field will spark healthy competition among African sides to emulate or surpass Morocco’s historic run to the semifinals at Qatar 2022.

“I see Morocco and Senegal doing very well. They have the quality and experience, as shown at the recent Africa Cup of Nations. It will be difficult for our African countries to make it to the top four again or to surpass what Morocco achieved in Qatar, but in football, you always have a chance. Bafana Bafana could also be a surprise package, while DRC qualifying against the odds makes their participation especially exciting. We could see a competition among the African countries on who would be the last to board a flight back home. We have a reason as Africans to be excited ahead of the upcoming tournament,” Akpeyi added. 

A Dream Stage

Akpeyi reflected on his own career, describing the World Cup as the pinnacle for any footballer.

“It is every player’s dream to compete at the highest level and participate in every tournament possible. I feel blessed to have represented Nigeria at the Olympics, the World Cup, and AFCON. The World Cup was a pinnacle. It was a dream. Many great players never get that chance. For me, meeting and playing against stars I once only watched on TV was unforgettable. This is my wish for my brothers in Africa to get an opportunity to showcase their skills to the world, and now the current format of the World Cup makes it possible.”

With Nigeria absent from the 2026 edition, Akpeyi has pledged his support to Bafana Bafana.

“I will be rallying behind South Africa. They have quality players who have grown together under Hugo Broos. You can clearly see how the players have developed since Hugo took over, and their strong campaign in the qualifiers made everyone stand up and take notice." 

Akpeyi tipped both Relebohile Mofokeng, who has been linked with a move to Ligue 1 giants Monaco, and Mbekezeli Mbokazi, currently playing for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer, to play huge roles for Bafana in the United States. 

"I’m excited to see Relebohile Mofokeng get more minutes, but it is up to the Coach on who will be in the starting lineup, especially in the midfield and in the forward line. I believe the World Cup could be life-changing for Mbokazi if he performs well against Mexico in the opening game. He is a player very high on confidence at the moment. If he starts well, his next stop after the World Cup could be Europe." 

Super Eagles Regret

Akpeyi admits Nigeria’s failure to qualify is a bitter disappointment.

“It hurts for my country, especially for the younger talents, to watch this World Cup on TV, especially after the disappointment of missing out again after Qatar. We must learn from this and prepare better. Nigeria is blessed with talent, but poor preparation costs us. Our start in the qualifiers was poor, a true reflection of poor preparations. Look at Ghana, with respect, they don’t have the same quality, but they were organised, and now they’re going to the World Cup.”

Despite the setback, Akpeyi remains optimistic about the future.

“We are still one of the top football nations in Africa, and we have shown the world in the Olympics and in the World Cup that we are a top football nation. I have no doubt Nigeria will bounce back. In four years, in Saudi Arabia, we can remind the world why we are regarded as giants of African football," he concluded.