Five African nations have qualified to appear in the FIFA World Cup 2022 finals in Qatar. What do their prospects look like?
African teams that qualified for World Cup 2022
Five African World Cup qualified teams have won the right to appear on the soccer world’s biggest stage in Qatar 2022. Having gone through Confederation of African Football (CAF) qualification, they take their place among the 32 teams when the tournament kicks off on November 20.
The teams that will be there are:
- Senegal in Group A (after beating Egypt to qualify)
- Tunisia in Group D (after beating Mali)
- Morocco in Group F (after beating DR Congo)
- Cameroon in Group G (after beating Algeria) and
- Ghana in Group H (after beating Nigeria).
Now that they’ve made it to the Biggest Show on Earth, what do their prospects look like?
Senegal, “The Lions of Teranga” – Group A
Senegal, the reigning African Cup on Nations (Afcon) champions are appearing in only their third FIFA World Cup tournament. Head coach Aliou Cisse was captain in their first appearance, in South Korea / Japan in 2002. As coach, he helped them qualify for Russia 2018, where the team failed to get out of the group stages.
2022 is a year of hope for the Senegalese. After their Afcon victory – beating Egypt in the final – dreams are alive for fans and players alike that they may match, or even surpass, their 2002 quarterfinal run.
Talent Abound
There is no doubt that this Senegal side has some incredible talent in it. The elder statesmen in the side play for some of the biggest clubs in the world.
Sadio Mane, having left Liverpool, already looks at home at Bayern Munich, as does captain Kalidou Koulibaly at Chelsea (having left Napoli). Also in the middle of defence is PSG’s Abdou Diallo. In goal, Edouard Mendy is a second-term Chelsea first choice, and was honoured as FIFA Best Goalkeeper in 2021 and best keeper in the Africa Cup of Nations.
Alongside this experience are talented youngster Iliman Ndiaye and Pape Matar Sarr. Keep an eye on them in midfield.
Other teams in Group A: The Netherlands (FIFA world-ranked #8), Ecuador (#44) and host nation Qatar (#49).
Expected wins over Ecuador and Qatar mean the match against the Netherlands should decide who tops the group.
In turn, that may be the difference between meeting England or the USA in the first knockout stage.
Read also: Group A Winners Odds – Netherlands favored.
Prospects
- Qualify from Group? Yes
- Round of 16 win? Maybe (if it’s the USA; less likely against England – but not inconceivable)
- Quarterfinal win: Unlikely (as they could meet France)
For a deeper dive into Senegal’s chances, read Will the Lions of Teranga roar in 2022?
Tunisia, “The Eagles of Carthage” – Group D
Tunisia (#30) qualified for Qatar by beating Mali (#46) in the third round of CAF qualification. One away goal in the first leg proved the difference after a second-leg 0-0 draw at home.
Manager Jalel Kadri has not been in the top job long, only taking over in January this year after Mondher Kebaier caught Covid during the Afcon campaign. Tunisia went out at the quarterfinals stage, losing 1-0 to Burkina Faso.
Skipper Youssef Msakni is no stranger to Qatar as it is where he plays his football for local team Al-Arabi. The 31-year-old winger has 17 goals for his country, from 85 caps.
Hannibal Mejbri is definitely one to watch. The 19-year-old midfielder is on the books at Manchester Utd, though it looks as if a loan to Birmingham City has been agreed to give him some invaluable pitch time and experience.
Other key players include Wahbi Khazri, the Ligue 1 striker at Montpelier (24 goals from 69 caps) and defenders Oussama Haddadi who plays for Bundesliga 2 side Greuther Fürth, and Ali Maaloul (Al Ahly Cairo).
Other teams in Group D: Defending champions France (#4), Denmark (#10) and Australia (#39).
It’s hard to see Tunisia taking points off France and Denmark, even if they do manage a win over the Socceroos.
Read also: Group D Winners Odds – Les Defending Blues.
Prospects
- Qualify from Group? Unlikely
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Morocco, “The Atlas Lions” – Group F
In a move that will have fans wondering whether or not this is the best preparation for Qatar, coach Vahid Halilhodzic was dismissed by the Moroccan football federation just three months out from the opening ceremony.
No permanent replaced has been named yet.
However, Halilhodzic came under some heavy fire for his (mis)handling of Chelsea (soon to be Manchester Utd?) midfielder Hakim Ziyech – one of the nation’s key players who he had refused to select.
Despite a perhaps underwhelming Afcon campaign, there is a certain solace to be had from the fact that their quarterfinal loss was to eventual finalists Egypt.
Ziyech’s presumed return would be a boost to the FIFA world-ranked #22 team. Also in the midfield, Sofiane Boufal shone in the Afcon, scoring three of Morocco’s eight goals.
Another standout player was Achraf Hakimi who scored two of Morocco’s three free-kick goals in two man-of-the-match performances.
Other teams in Group F: Belgium (#2), Canada (#43), Croatia (#15).
Going on world rankings alone, a third place finish in the group seems likely. A result against Belgium seems unlikely, but taking a point from Croatia might make things interesting for the second spot if they beat Canada.
Read also: Group F Winners Odds – Belgium favored.
Prospects
- Qualify from Group? Maybe / Unlikely
- Round of 16 win? Unlikely (If they qualify second in Group F they will meet the winner of Group E – likely to be Spain or Germany.)
Cameroon, “The Indomitable Lions” – Group G
Cameroon is the African nation that has qualified most often for the FIFA World Cup. 2022 marks their eighth appearance. They have never made it past the quarterfinal stage.
But while the upset over Argentina and legendary scenes of Roger Milla celebrating in style remain fresh in the minds of some soccer fans, it’s a bit of a jolt to realise that that was now 32 years ago.
The Comeback Kids
Cameroon are here having only just squeaked by Algeria in qualification. After losing their home leg 1-0, it was a Karl Toko Ekambi (Lyon) goal in the 124th minute that saw them win the away leg 2-1. With an aggregate score of 2-2, Cameroon qualified on away goals.
Their 2021 Afcon campaign was a close-cut thing too.
Cameroon lost their semifinal to Egypt 5-3 on penalties (after a 0-0 scoreline), putting them in the playoff for third where they met Burkina Faso, who lost their semifinal to Senegal 3-1.
Burkina Faso got off to a far better start and were 2-0 up at the half. They made that 3-0 on 49 minutes, leaving Cameroon with a mountain to climb.
Stephane Bahoken (Kasımpasa) clawed the first goal back in the 71st minute, and two late goals in quick succession (85, 87) from captain Vincent Aboubakar (Al Nassr) meant extra time. Cameroon won out 5-3 on penalties.
In the Cameroon squad, we must also mention Bayern Munich striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and Ajax keeper Andre Onana – both key figures.
Big Appointments
What’s more, the country’s spirits – and hopes – have been buoyed by the recent appointments of two homegrown footballing heroes.
In December 2021, Barcelona and Inter Milan legend Samuel Eto’o was elected head of Cameroon’s football association, bringing with him a new impetus to perform.
In line with that, in February 2022 his team mate for many years, Rigobert Song, was given the top managerial post. Song is no stranger to the big stage. Over the course of an international career that spanned 17 years he has played in four FIFA World Cups, collecting 137 caps along the way – an all-time record (Eto’o has 118 – and the goalscoring record at 56).
Other teams in Group G: Brazil (#1), Serbia (#25), Switzerland (#16).
On paper, it looks like#38 Cameroon will struggle to advance beyond the group stage this year. That said, all sports fans know how a “nothing to lose” attitude can prove dangerous.
Still, it does seem a big ask to expect this team to advance – so a repeat of Italia 90 doesn’t look likely to us.
Read also: Group G Winners Odds – Neymar to Shine?
Prospects
- Qualify from Group? Unlikely
- Round of 16 win? Unlikely (If they qualify second in Group G they will meet the winner of Group H – likely to be Portugal.)
Ghana “The Black Stars” – Group H
At #60, Ghana have the dubious pleasure of being the highest FIFA world-ranked team in Qatar – although they beat #31 Nigeria to get there.
This will be Ghana’s fourth appearance at a World Cup. They missed out on qualification in Russia 2018, but prior to that has an unbroken 12-year, three-tournament run in 2014 (Rio), 2010 (South Africa) and 2006 (Germany).
In 2010, Ghana went as far in the competition as any African nation ever has – losing to Uruguay on penalties in the quarterfinal stages. Four years later, however, they finished bottom of their group in Rio.
In 2006 they qualified second in Group E, but that meant a meeting with Brazil in the first knockout round, which they lost 3-0.
Despite a poor Afcon run, under the leadership of German-born coach Otto Addo – who as a player won the Bundesliga in 2002 with Borussia Dortmund – Ghana beat Nigeria to earn their spot in Qatar.
There is undoubtedly talent in the squad.
Up front, captain and striker Andre (Dede) Ayew who plays in Qatar for Al Sadd. Alongside him, younger brother Jordan Ayew, one of two players from Crystal Palace – the other being Jeffrey Schlupp.
In midfield, Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, supported by two youngsters in the shape of 18-year-old Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Sporting Lisbon) and 20-year-old Mohammed Kudus (Ajax). Together they have already notched up 26 caps between them and should prove to be the engine room.
In defence, Chelsea’s Baba Rahman and Leicester City’s Daniel Amartey provide experience.
Newly Ghanaian
The squad was recently strengthened with an influx of young talent yet to earn a Ghana cap. This group includes Brighton defender Tariq Lamptey (England U21s), Hamburg pair Stephan Ambrosius and Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer (Germany U21s), Germany-based Patric Pfeiffer (Darmstadt), and Athletic Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams (Spain). The Ghana soccer federation says all five have switched nationality to represent the African country.
Other teams in Group H: Portugal (#9), Uruguay (#13), South Korea (#38)
The focus in Group H will all be on Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, hoping for much, much more after a torrid time at Old Trafford this season.
South Korea qualified comfortably and will be as stern a test as usual – this their 10th consecutive World Cup tournament.
But, Ghana also get a chance at redemption against Uruguay for 2010. Will the sporting gods shine kindly on the Black Stars? Perhaps, but on paper a result here does look unlikely.
Read also: Group H Winners Odds – Cristiano’s Swan Song?
Propsects
- Qualify from Group? Maybe / Unlikely
- Round of 16 win? Unlikely (If they qualify second in Group G they will meet the winner of Group H – likely to be Portugal.)
African Teams in World Cups Past
Including the 2022 tournament, Cameroon is the African nation that has qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals the most often. Qatar will mark their eighth appearance in a FIFA World Cup.
Morocco, Nigeria and Tunisia rank next, with six appearances each. Ghana and Algeria have made four, while Senegal, Egypt, South Africa and Ivory Coast have made three.
The Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Togo have qualified once.
African teams in World Cup 2018 – Russia
Egypt (winless and finished bottom of Group A); Morocco (finished bottom of Group B, but with a 2-2 draw with Spain); Nigeria (finished third in Group D, with a 2-0 win over Iceland); Tunisia (finished third in Group G with a 2-1 win over Panama); and Senegal (finished third in Group H with a 2-1 win over Poland).
2014 World Cup African teams – Brazil
Cameroon (winless and finished bottom of Group A); Ivory Coast (finished third in Group C with a 2-1 win over Japan); Nigeria (finished second in Group F behind Argentina); Ghana (winless and finished bottom of Group G); and Algeria (finished second in Group H behind Belgium).
In the Round of 16, Nigeria lost 2-0 to France, while Algeria forced Germany into extra time before succumbing 2-1.
2010 World Cup African teams – South Africa
South Africa qualified thanks to its status as host nation, on top of the five CAF-qualified teams. South Africa finished third in Group A. The other teams were: Nigeria (finished winless and bottom of Group B); Algeria (finished winless and bottom of Group C); Ghana (finished second behind Germany in Group D, with a 1-0 win over Serbia); Cameroon (finished winless and bottom of Group E); and Ivory Coast (finished third in Group G with a 3-0 win over North Korea).
In the Round of 16, Ghana beat the USA 2-1 after extra time, setting themselves up for a quarterfinal against Uruguay.
Ghana Robbed
In Soccer City, Johannesburg, Sulley Muntari put the Black Stars 1-0 ahead on the stroke of half time. The lead didn’t last long though, as a Diego Forlan free kick 10 minutes into the second half equalised.
Neither team could manage a winner, so into extra time they went. Then the real drama struck.
Deep into extra time, after a goal-mouth scramble and with the Uruguayan keeper beaten, Luis Suarez deliberately hand-balled a goal-bound header from Dominic Adiyiah. The blatant move earned Suarez an immediate red card.
Asamoah Gyan stepped up to the spot kick with the chance to send Ghana to their first semi-final, but he blazed his strike into the crossbar… Suarez’s celebrations from the tunnel area did nothing for his image.
The match went to penalties, which the Black Stars lost 4-2. Ghanaians will never forgive Suarez his crime. Uruguay lost their semifinal to the Netherlands.
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How many African teams qualify for World Cup from Africa?
Under the current structure of world football, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) – the organising body of African football – has an allocation of five teams in the World Cup finals tournament.
The African teams that qualified for World Cup 2022 are: Senegal, Tunisia, Morocco, Cameroon and Ghana.
Has an African team won the World Cup?
No. The furthest an African nation has made it in the competition is to the quarterfinals, on three occasions:
- Cameroon in 1990 – Italia 90
- Ghana in 2010 – South Africa 2010, and
- Senegal in 2002 – Korea and Japan 2002