Okocha and Diouf at odds over Africa's chances of claiming the 2026 World Cup title

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the New York New Jersey Stadium, temporarily renamed from MetLife stadium, is seen from the inside in East Rutherford, New Jersey on May 7, 2026, as captured by photographer CHARLY TRIBALLEAU.

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Former Senegal star El Hadji Diouf shares the belief of CAF president Patrick Motsepe that an African team can win the 2026 World Cup, but Nigeria great Jay-Jay Okocha is unsure, citing concerns about the rapid improvement of teams from North America and Asia.

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Morocco's impressive performance in the last World Cup in Qatar, where they stunned Spain and Portugal en route to the semi-finals, has sparked hopes that Africa can go even further in the 2026 tournament.

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Diouf responded with optimism when asked if an African captain could lift the trophy near New York on July 19, saying "Why not?" and highlighting the talents of players like Sadio Mane, Idrissa Gueye, and Edouard Mendy from his own country.

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Motsepe, a 64-year-old South African billionaire and chairman of 2016 African club champions Mamelodi Sundowns, echoes Diouf's views, stating that the 10 African national teams at the 2026 World Cup will make Africa proud and that an African nation will be champions.

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Motsepe believes that what Africa lacked in the past was self-belief, but Morocco's performance in Qatar changed that, and now Africa can match the best in the world, with Motsepe determined to work relentlessly until an African nation lifts the World Cup trophy.

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Midfield maestro Okocha, who featured for Nigeria at several World Cups, including the 1994 tournament in the United States, has fond memories of the 1994 World Cup, but is concerned about the chances of an African team going all the way in the 2026 tournament.

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Okocha hopes to be proven wrong, acknowledging that African footballers have shocked the world before, and he will be happy to see it happen again, as the football world wonders whether Africa can go further than Morocco's semi-final appearance in 2022.

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The widespread belief among African footballers, coaches, and officials is that Morocco and Senegal are the strongest of the 10 qualifiers from the continent, with Senegal having beaten Morocco in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations final, although the result was overturned after an appeal.

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Achraf Hakimi-captained Morocco are in Group C with record five-time world champions Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti, and are expected to finish at least second, while Senegal tackle France, Norway, and Iraq in Group I, considered one of the toughest groups.

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Teranga Lions coach Pape Thiaw, who was a substitute when Senegal stunned then defending champions France in the 2002 World Cup, looks forward to a special match against France, hoping to repeat the 2002 victory.

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While Africans dream of lifting the ultimate football prize, some competing coaches have lesser immediate goals, such as Egypt coach Hossam Hassan, who recognizes the difficulty of reaching and playing in the World Cup, but sees great ambition in his players.

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Egypt, the record seven-time African champions, are still seeking a first victory at the global event, having first competed in a World Cup 92 years ago and made just two subsequent appearances.

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Recently appointed Tunisia coach Sabri Lamouchi is blunt about his team's chances, stating that he will not pretend that they will repeat Morocco's performance in 2022, but leaves room for the possibility of a surprise in the future.

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The African contenders in the 2026 World Cup are Algeria, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia.