Renowned British sports journalist Kaveh Solhekol believes African nations are poised to make a significant impact at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
With excitement building ahead of the tournament, Solhekol’s optimism comes at a time when Africa will enjoy its largest-ever representation at a World Cup, following FIFA’s expansion to a 48-team format. Many across the continent see the changes as a genuine opportunity for African football to finally push beyond historical barriers on the world’s biggest stage.
Speaking to Sport Blitz 360 Head Benjamin Kofi Asamoah in Washington, D.C., ahead of the World Cup draw, Solhekol highlighted several factors he believes could work in Africa’s favour.
“I think this is going to be a big World Cup for African teams. Deservedly, there are more African teams in the World Cup, and I think the weather conditions are going to suit African sides as well,” he said.
Solhekol also singled out Ghana as one of the teams capable of surprising many at the tournament, describing the Black Stars as a potential dark horse given the quality within their squad.
Over recent years, Ghana has produced a new generation of talented players competing regularly in Europe’s top leagues, an evolution Solhekol believes could translate into success on the global stage.
“I think it would be very dangerous to underestimate a side like Ghana. You saw how well Morocco did at the last World Cup, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Ghana did what Morocco did last time round,” he added.
Morocco made history at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, becoming the first African nation to reach the semifinals. However, African success at the World Cup has historically been limited. Only Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana, and Morocco have ever progressed beyond the Round of 16, with Morocco remaining the only side to reach the last four.
No African nation has yet reached a World Cup final or lifted the trophy, an enduring statistic that underscores the significance of the opportunity presented by the 2026 edition.
The official draw for the tournament will take place on Friday, December 5, in Washington, D.C., where African teams will discover their group-stage opponents and begin mapping their routes toward what many hope will be a landmark campaign.
So far, nine African nations have secured automatic qualification, with DR Congo still in contention to become the tenth representative through the Inter-continental playoffs.
With increased representation, favourable conditions, and a growing pool of elite talent, African teams head into the 2026 World Cup with renewed belief. For many, this tournament represents more than participation—it is a chance to rewrite history and firmly establish Africa among football’s global elite.
