Emmanuel Petit (left) predicts that an African nation could win the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting the success of African teams in the expanded format and their strong performances in recent matches. Picture: MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP
Image: MIGUEL MEDINA / AFP
Former FIFA World Cup winner with France, Emmanuel Petit, believes 2026 could finally be the year an African nation lifts football’s biggest prize.
With nine of the 10 African nations at the World Cup advancing to the knockout stage, it has vindicated the tournament’s expanded format, which included more African representatives than ever before.
At the 2022 World Cup, there were just five African teams at the quadrennial showpiece.
Although South Africa and Ivory Coast have already exited in the Round of 32, seven African nations remain in contention. That includes Morocco, who booked their place in the Round of 16 courtesy of a shock penalty shootout victory over the much-fancied Netherlands.
“Algeria, Senegal and Morocco can make this the World Cup where an African nation finally wins,” Petit told IOL via BetVictor.
“Morocco, Algeria, Senegal — there are so many African teams that we know very well.”
Petit also pointed to France’s recent struggles against African opposition, including a surprise defeat to Ivory Coast in an international friendly on June 4 as part of their World Cup preparations.
“We (France) struggled recently against Ivory Coast. They will cause trouble again. They were excellent at the last AFCON.
“They are performing very well and, when you look at the team collectively and individually, they have great players.”
African teams will have another chance to underline their credentials on Wednesday. Senegal face Belgium at 10pm SA time, while earlier in the day DR Congo will look to pull off an upset against one of the tournament favourites, England, in their 6pm SA time Round of 32 clash.