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Africa's Journey at the FIFA World Cup 2026: A Tournament of Progress, Pride and Promise

The curtain has fallen on Africa's participation at the FIFA World Cup 2026 following Morocco's courageous quarterfinal exit after a 2–0 defeat to France.

This year's expanded tournament witnessed one of the strongest African representations in World Cup history, with nine African nations progressing to the Round of 32: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Ghana, Algeria, Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa, DR Congo, and Cape Verde.

Highlights of Africa's Campaign

🇲🇦 Morocco once again carried the continent's hopes, reaching the quarterfinals after a convincing 3–0 victory over Canada before eventually bowing out to France. The Atlas Lions became the first African nation to reach consecutive World Cup quarterfinals, building on their historic 2022 campaign.

🇪🇬 Egypt displayed resilience by advancing to the Round of 16 before narrowly losing to Argentina in a thrilling contest.

🇬🇭 Ghana reached the knockout stage and pushed Colombia all the way before suffering a narrow defeat.

🇨🇻 Cape Verde, on their FIFA World Cup debut, exceeded expectations by reaching the Round of 32, marking one of the tournament's biggest success stories.

🇩🇿 Algeria, 🇨🇮 Côte d'Ivoire, 🇸🇳 Senegal, 🇨🇩 DR Congo, and 🇿🇦 South Africa also made significant contributions, demonstrating the growing competitiveness and depth of African football on the world stage.

A Continent on the Rise

Although no African nation advanced beyond the quarterfinals this time, the performances across the tournament reflected remarkable progress. African teams competed fearlessly against football's traditional powerhouses, produced memorable performances, and reinforced the belief that a first African World Cup semifinalist—and perhaps even a future finalist or champion—is no longer a distant dream.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has once again confirmed that African football continues to grow in quality, tactical maturity, and global influence.

Africa leaves with pride, valuable experience, and renewed belief. The future is bright.

CAF APPEAL BOARD declares Morocco as AFCON Champions.

CAF Appeal Board Media Statement The CAF Appeal Board decided that in application of Article 84 of the Regulations of the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Senegal National Team is declared to have forfeited the Final Match of the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Morocco 2025 (“the Match”), with the result o...

The 2024 CAF Men's African Player of the Year is Ademola Lookman.

Europa League winner🏆
Atalanta Player of the Season🏆
Named in Europa League Team of the Year ⚽️
Hat trick vs. Leverkusen in the Europa League final⚽️
18 G/A in Serie A last season⚽️
16 G/A in Serie A and UCL so far this season⚽️
Goals in the AFCON Last 16 and quarterfinal

An incredible year 👏

Here is the provisional Harambee Stars squad set to face Cameroon in the AFCON qualifiers.

Goalkeepers
Ian Otieno (Richards Bay FC), Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Omondi (Bandari)

Defenders

Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg), Amos Nondi (Ararat), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Johnstone Omurwa (Abha), Collins Sichenje (Vojvodina), Joseph Okumu (Reims), Geoffrey Ochieng (Gor Mahia), Eric Ouma (Rakow)

Midfielders

David Odoyo (Tusker), Chrispine Erambo (Tusker), Richard Odada (Dundee United), John Ochieng (Zanaco), Timothy Ouma (Elfsborg), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar), Duke Abuya (Yanga), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Alfred Scriven (Bryne FK), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia)

Forwards

John Avire (El Sekka El Hadid), Michael Olunga ( Al Duhail), Jonah Ayunga (ST. Mirren-Scotland), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), Adam Wilson (New Saints), Sydney Lokale (AFC Leopards)

NNL Group A
Sporting Lagos
Madiba FC
1472 FC
Gateway United
Dakkada FC
Solution FC
Osun United
Warri Wolves
Kun Khalifa

Group B
Inter Lagos
First Bank
Smart City
Beyond Limits
Godswill Akpabio FC
Edel FC
Igbajo United
Rovers FC
Abia Comets

Group C
Kebbi
Doma
Coal City
Crown FC
Kada Warriors
Sporting Supreme
Emalex
Basira
Yobe

Group D
Sokoto United
Gombe United
Mighty Jets International FC
Mailantarki
Zamfara united
Uejele
Barau FC
Wikki Tourists
Adamawa United

We will Begin our the 2024/ Campaign at home against Wikki Tourists FC of Bauchi

GROUP D MATCHDAY 1

Gombe United Vs Wikki Tourist
Ijele FC Vs Zamfara United
Mighty Jets FC Vs Barau FC
Adamawa United Vs Mailantarki Care FC

Credit: Adigun

NFF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT



Morocco 2025: Ekong, 19 others train in Uyo as Eagles prepare for Cheetahs

Only three players are still being expected at the camp of the Super Eagles, as 20 players trained in Uyo on Tuesday evening, ahead of Saturday’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against the Cheetahs of Benin Republic.

Captain William Ekong led from the front, arriving on Monday with the earliest birds, which included defenders Ola Aina, Semi Ajayi, and Olisa Ndah, midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and forwards Ademola Lookman and Taiwo Awoniyi.

Goalkeeper Amas Obasogie and midfielder Wilfred Ndidi were in tow, and forward Victor Boniface and goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali joined in the evening.

On Tuesday morning, defender Calvin Bassey and midfielders Alex Iwobi and Frank Onyeka pitched in, before defender Benjamin Tanimu (drafted in place of Bright Osayi-Samuel), midfielder Alhassan Yusuf Abdullahi, and forwards Moses Simon and Samuel Chukwueze landed.

In the evening, just before the team bus pulled out of the hotel for training, defender Bruno Onyemaechi (of Portuguese club Boavista) and midfielder Raphael Onyedika (of Belgian side Club Brugge) arrived in camp.

Forward Kelechi Iheanacho is due in camp on Wednesday while goalkeeper Maduka Okoye and forward Victor Osimhen are being expected on Thursday.

After Saturday’s encounter, the Super Eagles are scheduled to fly to Kigali on Sunday for Tuesday’s Matchday 2 clash with the Amavubi of Rwanda.

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS

Mali coach Eric Sekou Chelle names final 27-man squad for AFCON 2023

by Kelvin Trudeau Musako
January 3, 2024

Mali head coach Eric Sekou Chelle has named his final 27-man squad for the upcoming 2023 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast.

Yves Bissouma of Tottenham Hotspurs headlines the list with the likes of captain Hamari Traore of Real Sociedad, Lassine Sinayoko of AJ Auxerre, Ibrahim Sissoko of Saint-Etienne and Boubacar Traore of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Other notable inclusions in the squad are Diadie Samassekou (Hoffenheim), Mohamed Camara (Monaco), Sekou Koita and Nene Dorgeles both from RB Salzburg.

Les Aigles have been drawn in Group E alongside Tunisia, South Africa and Namibia.

The team is expected to play Guinea-Bissau in a friendly on 6 January before heading out to Ivory Coast.

Mali have never lifted the prestigious AFCON trophy and will be hoping to go the extra mile in Ivory Coast. The Eagles best finish came in their first appearance in 1972 where they were the runners up to Congo.

Mali Full Squad

Goalkeepers: Djigui Diarra (Young Africans), Aboubacar Doumbia (AFE), Ismael Diawara (MALMO)

Defenders: Hamari Traore (Real Sociedad), Falaye Sacko (Montpellier), Boubacar Kouyate (Montpellier), Mamadou Fofana (Aimens), Sikou Niakate (Braga), Moussa Diarra (Toulouse), Amadou Dante (Strum Graz).

Midfielders: Diadie Samassekou (Hoffenheim), Mohamed Camara (Monaco), Doudou Haidara (Leipzig), Aliou Dieng (Al Ahly), Lassana Coulibaly (Saleranitana), Kamory Doumbia (Brest), Adama Noss Traore (Hull City), Yves Bissouma (Tottenham), Boubacar Traore (Wolverhampton).

Strikers: Sekou Koita (RB Salzburg), Nene Dorgeles (RB Salzburg), Moussa Doumbia (Al Adala), Fousseni Diabate (Laussane Sport), Ibrahim Sissoko (Saint Etienne), Lassine Sinayoko (AJ Auxerre), Youssouf Niakate (Bani Yas), Serine Doucoure (Lorient)

Osimhen wins the CAF Player of the Year award.

Oshoala wins the CAF Women's Player of the Year award.

Chiamaka Nnadozie wins the CAF Women's Goalkeeper of the Year Award.

Michelle Alozie, Asisat Oshoala and Osinachi Ohale are in the CAF Women's Best 11 team

The Super Falcons voted the best women's football team in Africa.

A beautiful night for Nigerian football