As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, African nations once again have an opportunity to make history on soccer's biggest stage.
The continent has produced some of the tournament's most memorable moments, but one question continues to surface every four years: how far can an African team go? Check out the best World Cup performances by teams in the Confederation of African Football.
Morocco Made History in 2022
The deepest World Cup run by an African nation belongs to Morocco.
At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semifinals. Morocco topped a group featuring Croatia and Belgium before knocking out Spain and Portugal in the knockout rounds.
Their run ended against France in the semifinals before a loss to Croatia in the third-place match, but their fourth-place finish remains the best result ever by an African nation.
Cameroon Set the Early Standard in 1990
Before Morocco's breakthrough, Cameroon held Africa's benchmark performance for more than three decades.
Led by Roger Milla, the Indomitable Lions stunned the world at the 1990 World Cup by defeating defending champion Argentina and advancing to the quarterfinals. Cameroon came within minutes of reaching the semifinals before eventually falling to England in extra time.
Senegal Reached the Last Eight in 2002
Senegal matched Cameroon's quarterfinal run in its first-ever World Cup appearance.
The Lions of Teranga defeated defending champion France in the tournament opener and rode that momentum all the way to the quarterfinals. Their historic run ended with an extra-time defeat to Turkey, but it remains one of the greatest World Cup debuts ever.
Ghana's Agonizing Heartbreak in 2010
Many fans still consider Ghana's 2010 squad the unluckiest African team in World Cup history.
The Black Stars reached the quarterfinals and appeared destined for the semifinals before Luis Suárez's infamous goal-line handball against Uruguay. Ghana missed the resulting penalty and was eventually eliminated in a shootout.
Can Africa Go Even Further in 2026?
Africa enters the 2026 World Cup with a record 10 teams thanks to FIFA's expanded format.
Morocco once again arrives as one of the continent's biggest hopes after their breakout in the 2022 tournament. The Atlas Lions are viewed as a legitimate threat to make another deep run thanks to stars such as Achraf Hakimi and Hakim Ziyech.
Egypt will look to lean on superstar Mohamed Salah, who helped power the Pharaohs through qualifying and enters the tournament as one of the most accomplished African players of his generation.
Cape Verde will make its World Cup debut after a historic qualifying campaign, while nations such as South Africa, Algeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast, and DR Congo give the continent one of its deepest collections of talent ever assembled for a World Cup.
