By Femi Atolagbe
Former Chairman of the Ondo State Football Agency (ODFSA), Otunba Akinsola Akinbobola, has commended the outstanding performance of African nations at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup after nine of the continent’s 10 representatives secured qualification for the Round of 32.
He described the achievement as one of Africa’s finest-ever performances in the group stage of the FIFA World Cup.
Speaking with Sporting Hope, Akinbobola said the impressive showing reflects the increasing depth, competitiveness and quality of African football, with teams from every region of the continent making their mark on the world’s biggest football stage.
The countries that progressed to the knockout phase are South Africa, Algeria, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco and Senegal. Tunisia were the only African nation to miss out on a place in the Round of 32.
According to Akinbobola, “This achievement highlights Africa’s emergence as a major force in international football, with established powers and rising nations alike producing disciplined, resilient and entertaining performances throughout the group stage.
“From North Africa’s traditional heavyweights to the growing influence of teams from West, Central and Southern Africa, the continent has demonstrated that it is capable of competing with the world’s best.
“Attention now turns to the knockout rounds, where Africa’s nine surviving teams will seek to build on their historic success and continue their pursuit of an unprecedented FIFA World Cup triumph.
“With confidence soaring and belief growing, the continent enters the next phase of the competition united by the hope that 2026 could become Africa’s greatest World Cup campaign yet.”
Akinbobola expressed optimism that the continent’s impressive run would inspire greater investment in football development across Africa and further strengthen the region’s reputation as one of the game’s emerging powerhouses.