World Cup
Morocco made us proud, says CAF President, Motsepe
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Just before the Thursday draw for Africa’s preliminary competition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, moderator, Nigerian-Lebanese Mimi Fawaz invited the FIFA President, Gianni Infantino and the CAF president, Dr. Patrice Motsepe for opening remarks.
Morocco, expectedly took the centre stage. Infantino tried a balancing act of wishing all nations across the continents well in the 2026 World Cup but pointing at the trophy which was placed on a podium by his left hand side remarked that the ‘trophy which everyone wants to win is here in Africa.
Motsepe went further, praising the exploits of Morocco in the last edition.
Hear Africa’s third richest man: ”Morocco has shown us that we can win the World Cup. Morocco has made us proud. Morocco has told us that indeed Africa can get to the final
“We are optimistic that in 2026, an African nation will go further (than the semifinals attained by Morocco)”
The Kingdom of Morocco has always been the African pace-setter in the World Cup.
When on 11 June 1970 Morocco played a 1-1 draw with Bulgaria, the kingdom became the first African nation to win a point at the World Cup.
When on 11 June 1986 Morocco beat Portugal 3-1, the Kingdom became the first African team to top a World Cup group. It was a feat later equaled by Nigeria in 1994.
Morocco in 1982 thus became the first African team to move beyond the group stage. The allure of it was that Morocco had drawn a power-packed group that comprised of England, Poland and Portugal.
They were threatening to break all barriers and West Germany only overcame Morocco, two minutes to full-time, winning 1-0. At Qatar 2022, Morocco made both Africa and Arab World proud by getting to the semi-finals and winning an African team’s biggest ever purse -$25 million.
BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
Czechia face a stern challenge in their quest to reach the FIFA World Cup knockout phase for the first time since 1990 when they take on an in-form Mexico side.
The Europeans have not advanced beyond the group stage in more than three decades and see the fixture as a golden opportunity to end that long wait. However, standing in their way is a Mexican team currently making history.
Mexico have already become the first Concacaf nation to win three consecutive FIFA World Cup matches, highlighting the momentum and confidence within their squad. The achievement has strengthened the belief that El Tri can make a deep run in the tournament.
For Czechia, discipline and defensive solidity will be essential against a side that has combined attacking flair with resilience throughout the competition.
As both teams seek to maintain their World Cup ambitions, the encounter is expected to be fiercely contested from the opening whistle.
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.
History beckons for both South Africa and the Republic when they meet in a potentially decisive FIFA World Cup group-stage clash.
South Africa are seeking qualification from the group phase for the first time in their World Cup history. Having previously fallen short of the knockout rounds, Bafana Bafana know that a positive result could secure a landmark achievement for the nation.
The Republic also have a significant target in sight. The Asian side are aiming to progress beyond the group stage in consecutive World Cup tournaments for the first time, underlining their growing consistency on the world stage.
Both teams have displayed determination throughout the competition, setting up what promises to be a tense and closely fought encounter.
With history within reach for either side, the stakes could hardly be higher as South Africa and the Republic battle for a coveted place in the knockout rounds of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
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Mexico stand on the brink of another historic milestone at the FIFA World Cup as they prepare to face Czechia in their final Group A match this Tuesday (Wednesday in Nigeria and other parts of Africa and Europe).
Having already become the first Concacaf nation to record three consecutive FIFA World Cup victories, El Tri can further cement their place in regional football history with a win over Czechia.
Victory would make Mexico the first team from the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) to reach the landmark of 20 World Cup wins.
The Mexicans opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over South Africa before edging Korea Republic 1-0 in their second outing. Those results have already secured their passage to the knockout rounds and underlined their status as one of the tournament’s early success stories.
Mexico’s World Cup appearance record holder, Rafael Márquez, during his illustrious international career. The former captain featured in 19 FIFA World Cup matches across five tournaments from Korea/Japan 2002 to Russia 2018, establishing himself as one of El Tri’s most enduring and influential figures on football’s biggest stage.
Over the decades, Mexico have been Concacaf’s most consistent representatives at the World Cup, regularly advancing from the group stage and competing with the traditional powerhouses of world football. A 20th World Cup win would be another testament to their enduring presence on football’s biggest stage.
Standing in their way are a determined Czechia side still chasing a place in the knockout phase. But should Mexico emerge victorious, they will not only strengthen their position in Group A but also write a new chapter in Concacaf history as the first nation from the region to register 20 World Cup triumphs.
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