1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to search
  3. Skip to main menu
  4. Skip to more DW sites
02:39

Africa’s long road to the World Cup respectability

Lolade Adewuyi

Africa waited 88 years for its first World Cup semifinalist. As its teams aim even higher in 2026, the road that led there is worth remembering.

Several African teams are having an impressive World Cup, with debutant islanders Cape Verde thrilling the world.

Historically, however, African participation has been limited: only 14 of 54 countries have ever qualified. Early barriers included colonial rule and the lack of dedicated qualification slots, forcing African teams to compete against other continents. This led to a boycott by the Confederation of African Football, which eventually secured fairer representation.

While African football has made significant strides, the continent continues striving for greater consistency and global impact.