Over the years we have heard so many African countries compete in world football, and have also performed tremendously well and caused a significant upset. The likes of Algeria, Senegal, and Morocco defeated tougher European opponents no one thought they could at the FIFA World Cup.
In total, 13 African countries have competed in the FIFA World Cup; with Cameroon, Nigeria, and Morocco having the most appearances.
Here Is A Look At The Performances Of The Most Successful African Teams At The World Cup
1. Algeria (2014)
- Previous FIFA World Cup Appearances: 4 (1982, 1986, 2010, 2014)
- Best Performance: Brazil 2014 (Round of 16)
Before the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the Algeria national team competed in four world cups; Spain (1982), Mexico (1986), South Africa (2010), and Brazil (2014).
At the 1982 tournament in Spain, Algeria beat West Germany 2-1 in their first game, lost 2-0 to Austria in the second game, and defeated Chile 3-2. However, they were eliminated from the competition after West Germany beat Austria 1-0, the win saw both the Germans and the Austrians qualify.
Algeria had a poor outing at the 1986 and 2010 world cups, but their most impressive performance was at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where they reached the round of 16 for the first time. The North African country launched its campaign with a 2-1 loss to Belgium, a 4-2 over South Korea, and a 1-1 all-draw with Russia in the last group match to book a spot in the knockout stage of the competition.
The Desert Warriors of Algeria were eliminated by Germany in a round-of-16 encounter. They played a goalless draw in the first 90 minutes, and the Germans won 2-1 in extra time.
2. Ghana (2010)
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfuIgNruwkj/?hl=en
- Previous FIFA World Cup Appearances: 3 (2006, 2010, 2014)
- Best Performance: South Africa 2010 (Quarter Final)
The Black Stars of Ghana qualified for the FIFA World Cup on 3 previous occasions; Germany (2006), South Africa (2010), and Brazil (2014).
In 2006, the Ghanaians made their World Cup debut in Germany and went beyond the group stage. The next edition of the tournament in South Africa saw the Ghana national team do the continent proud by becoming the third African country to reach the quarter-final of a FIFA World Cup, but they lost to Uruguay in the penalty shootout.
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3. Senegal (2002)
- Previous FIFA World Cup Appearances: 2 (2002, 2018)
- Best Performance: South Korea/Japan 2002 (Quarter Final)
Qatar 2022 is the third time the Teranga Lions of Senegal is going to the FIFA World Cup after competing in the 2002 and 2018 editions of the tournament in South Korea/Japan and Russia, respectively.
The Senegal national team became the second African country to reach the World Cup quarter-final stage at the Korea/Japan 2002. In the build-up to the feat, they defeated 1998 winners France 1-0 in their opening group game, drew 1-1 with Denmark, and 3-3 with Uruguay, and beat Sweden 2-1 in the round of 16. Unfortunately, they lost to Turkey in the quarter-final.
4. Nigeria (1994)
- Previous FIFA World Cup Appearances: 6 (1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014, 2018)
- Best Performance: USA 1994, France 1998, Brazil 2014 (Round of 16)
The Nigeria national team is the second African country with the most FIFA World Cup appearances (6) behind Cameroon. Also, they reached the round of 16 thrice in 1994, 1998, and 2014 in the US, France, and Brazil, respectively.
At the 1994 tournament, they beat the likes of Bulgari 3-0, Greece 2-0, and lost 1-2 to Argentina at the group stage to reach the second round, but they were bested by Italy. In 1998, they reached the round of 16 by defeating Spain, and Bulgaria and losing to Paraguay in their group, they lost 4-0 to Denmark in the second round.
Moving forward, the Super Eagles made it to the knockout stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil with a goalless draw against Iran, a win against Bosnia and Herzegovina, and a loss to Argentina. France beat Nigeria 1-0 in the round of 16.
5. Cameroon (1990)
- Previous FIFA World Cup Appearances: 7 (1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2014)
- Best Performance: Italy 1990 (Quarter-Final)
Cameroon is the first African country to reach the quarter-final of a FIFA World Cup, and also has the most appearances of an African country in the competition.
In Italy in 1990, the Indomitable Lions made it to the last eight of the tournament by beating Argentina 1-0, Romania 2-1, and losing 4-0 to the Soviet Union (defunct). In the second round, they beat Colombia 2-1 to advance but lost 3-2 to England.
6. Morocco (1986)
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- Previous FIFA World Cup Appearances: 5 (1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018)
- Best Performance: Mexico 1986 (Round of 16)
The Atlas Lions of Morocco was the first African country to reach the round of 16 of a FIFA World. At the Mexico 1986 FIFA World Cup, the Moroccans shocked the world by topping their group (H) after holding Poland and England to a goalless draw and beating Portugal 3-1.
Their resurgence was ended by West Germany in the round of 16.
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