Former Nigerian international Onyekachi Apam has disclosed that a North African team will do well to represent the continent at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Ten teams will represent Africa at this year’s global spectacle to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico between June 11 and July 19.
Nigeria missed out on the Mundial for a second successive time, with DR Congo picking one the tickets via the intercontinental play-offs.
Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, South Africa, Ghana and debutants Cape Verde will all participate in the competition, per ESPN.
Africa’s best outing on the global stage came at the 2022 edition in Qatar when the Atlas Lions of Morocco stunned the world to reach the semifinal.
Morocco enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup ranked 7th in the FIFA World Ranking 🤩🔥
This is the highest ranking in the history of the Moroccan national football team 🔝🇲🇦 pic.twitter.com/cHwQWduxKO
— Vuvuzela.foot (@vvzfoot) June 4, 2026
The Moroccans caused a major upset from the preliminary rounds finishing as Group F winners with 7 points after defeating Belgium and Canada and registering a draw with Croatia.
They went on edge out Spain in the second round via penalties before an historic 1-0 win over Cristiano Ronaldo-captained Portugal in the quarterfinal to reach the semis.
The North Africans however succumbed 2-0 to France in the semis and then lost the third place playoff to Croatia.
Onyekachi Apam tips Morocco to shine at 2026 World Cup
Ex-Nigerian star and former Seattle Sounders defender Onyekachi Apam believes Morocco can replicate the same feat at the 2026 World Cup, and added that Senegal and Ivory Coast can also spring surprises.
The Atlas Lions begin their quest for the World Cup title on a herculean note, having been drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.
He told Yankee Scores:
“For me Morocco are the best African team at the moment. Yeah it’s possible. Senegal and Ivory Coast, I believe can as well.”
Ivory Coast fires warning to World Cup opponents
Meanwhile, with barely a week before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, African giants Ivory Coast pulled off an upset to defeat a star-studded French national team.
Despite parading some of the biggest names, including Kylian Mbappe, N’Golo Kante and Michael Olise, Les Blues were defeated right inside the packed Stade de la Beaujoire in Nantes.
