The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has celebrated what it described as the best-ever FIFA World Cup performance by African nations, with CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe declaring that the continent’s teams made history at the expanded 2026 tournament.

Speaking on Wednesday, Motsepe praised the performances of the 10 African representatives at the World Cup, highlighting that nine of them advanced from the group stage to the Round of 32—a record 90 per cent qualification rate that surpassed every previous African campaign.

Africa was represented by Algeria, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.

According to CAF, although African teams accounted for only 20.8 per cent of the 48 nations that competed at the tournament, they made up 28.1 per cent of the 32 teams that progressed to the knockout phase. The achievement was second only to UEFA in terms of the proportion of participating teams reaching the Round of 32.

Egypt and Morocco advanced to the Round of 16, while Morocco continued its impressive rise on the global stage by reaching the quarter-finals for the second consecutive FIFA World Cup.

CAF also singled out Cabo Verde, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Ghana and Tunisia for commendable performances during the tournament.

Motsepe described the campaign as a watershed moment for African football.

“Significant progress and successes were achieved by the African National Teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026 and I am very proud of their performances,” he said.

He noted that the continent’s 90 per cent qualification rate represented a dramatic improvement on previous editions, where African teams achieved qualification rates of 40 percent in 2022 and 2014, while none reached the knockout stage in 2018.

Despite the historic success, Motsepe said CAF had already identified areas requiring improvement ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup.

To that end, CAF will convene a technical conference with national team coaches, technical experts, former African internationals, and other stakeholders to evaluate tournament performances and formulate strategies for future success.

The CAF president also reiterated the federation’s commitment to expanding investment in youth football, coaching education, domestic leagues and national teams across all 54 member associations.

He revealed that CAF would increase funding for coaching development across its six regional zones and strengthen the CAF African Schools Football Championship as a pathway to nurture young talent.

Motsepe also stressed the importance of improving football infrastructure throughout Africa.

He called for stronger partnerships between governments, football associations and the private sector to ensure every member association has at least one stadium meeting CAF and FIFA standards, allowing national teams and clubs to play home matches before their supporters.

Expressing confidence in Africa’s future, Motsepe said CAF remained convinced that the continent would eventually produce a FIFA World Cup champion.

“Our objective is to make African football globally competitive and among the best in the world,” he said.

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By Kunle Solaja, JFK, New York

When the final whistle eventually sounded on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the curtain fell on another remarkable chapter in football history, my personal reflections will extend far beyond the goals, the drama and the unforgettable moments witnessed across the United States, Canada and Mexico.

For me, this World Cup represents something deeply personal; a milestone that once seemed distant but has now become reality.

Like the celebrated “La Décima” that Real Madrid proudly pursued and achieved in European football, the 2026 FIFA World Cup marks my own “La Décima”, similar to the Mission X of the magnificent Nigeria’s Super Falcons; attendance at a tenth consecutive FIFA World Cup finals as a journalist.

From Italia ’90 through USA ’94, France ’98, Korea/Japan 2002, Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, Qatar 2022 and now the 2026 tournament in North America, the journey has spanned 36 years of reporting, travelling, learning and documenting football history as it unfolded before my eyes.

Such a milestone is never achieved alone.

It is therefore fitting that I pause amid the excitement of the World Cup to express profound appreciation to one individual whose support made this latest journey possible — Hon. Adekunle Soname, Chairman of Bet9ja and, easily, Nigeria’s most influential yet understated sports visionary.

At a time when independent journalism faces increasing financial pressures and international coverage has become more expensive than ever, Bet9ja’s decision to support my World Cup project was not merely a sponsorship arrangement. It was an investment in sports journalism, historical documentation and the preservation of a tradition that has lasted for nearly four decades.

Hon. Soname’s contribution ensured that Sports Village Square could maintain its presence at the world’s biggest sporting event and continue delivering firsthand reports, features, interviews and analyses directly from the tournament venues.

Those who know Hon. Soname understand that his commitment to football extends far beyond business. Over the years, he has consistently demonstrated a passion for the growth of the game in Nigeria and Africa, supporting initiatives that contribute to football development both on and off the field.

His support for this World Cup coverage is another reflection of that enduring commitment.

I also owe a debt of gratitude to the dedicated members of the Bet9ja marketing team whose professionalism, cooperation and confidence in the project helped transform an idea into reality. Their belief in the value of quality sports journalism and credible tournament coverage played an important role in ensuring the success of this venture.

Behind every sponsorship agreement are individuals who work quietly but diligently to make things happen. They deserve recognition for their efficiency, encouragement and unwavering support throughout the process.

My appreciation also goes to a long-standing friend of sports journalism and one of Nigeria’s most respected media professionals, Femi Adesina.

Long before this World Cup journey reached its tenth chapter, Femi Adesina had become one of its steadfast supporters. Since the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, he has consistently offered encouragement, support and goodwill towards my international coverage efforts.

Femi Adesina, a passionate sports enthusiast and former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President of Nigeria, has been a steadfast pillar of support for my FIFA World Cup coverage since Brazil 2014. His unwavering encouragement has helped make successive World Cup reporting missions possible.

Whether as a colleague in journalism or later as Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Muhammadu Buhari, he never lost his appreciation for the value of professional sports reporting and the role it plays in projecting Nigeria to the world.

His support over the years has been a source of motivation, particularly during moments when the challenges of international coverage appeared overwhelming.

As I look back on ten consecutive World Cups, I am reminded that journalism, despite often appearing to be an individual pursuit, is in reality a collective endeavour. Every byline carries the fingerprints of numerous supporters, friends, family members, colleagues and institutions whose contributions make the work possible.

This tenth World Cup attendance therefore belongs not only to me but also to everyone who has supported the journey from its humble beginnings in Italy in 1990 to this historic milestone in North America in 2026.

For Hon. Kunle Soname and Bet9ja, for the dedicated members of the company’s marketing team, and for Femi Adesina, I offer my heartfelt gratitude.

Their support has helped make possible a dream that began more than three decades ago and has now culminated in a personal “La Décima” — ten consecutive FIFA World Cups.

For that, I remain profoundly thankful.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, BROOKLYN.

How does one say goodbye to a family that opened not just the doors of their home, but also their hearts during an unforgettable World Cup journey? After weeks of enjoying their extraordinary hospitality, leaving feels far more difficult than I had imagined. It is almost as though I should stay a little longer.

As I pen these few words, it is the birthday of one of them—Daniel Ogunleye, easily my closest companion in this wonderful family of four. It is fitting that I pay this tribute today.

Daniel Ogunleye beams with pride as he poses with an impressive collection of academic, basketball and sporting trophies at his family home in New York. A gifted student-athlete and entrepreneur, Daniel has excelled both on the court and in the classroom, embodying discipline, determination and excellence.  Happy Birthday to a remarkable young man whose achievements continue to inspire.

Daniel and I spent countless hours sharing jokes, exchanging ideas and discussing sports. A first-year Criminology student at Fisher College, he is every good quality rolled into one.

Though he began as a football player, he later switched to America’s favourite sport—basketball—where he has earned considerable honours. He has successfully combined academic excellence, sporting achievement and an impressive entrepreneurial spirit, making him a young man with a very bright future.

My friendship with his father, Olukayode Ogunleye, goes back more than five decades. We grew up together in Ibadan and later worked as sports journalists at the then Concord Press of Nigeria before life took him to the United States.

When I arrived in New York to cover the FIFA World Cup, Olukayode did far more than provide accommodation. He transformed his family home into my own Nigerian sanctuary. Throughout my stay, I never felt I had left home. Every familiar comfort was there, especially the food.

From eba to amala, pounded yam and other cherished Nigerian delicacies, every meal reminded me of home. For that unforgettable culinary experience, special appreciation goes to his lovely wife, Launette.

Although African-American by birth, Launette cooks Nigerian cuisine with such authenticity that one would easily believe she spent her formative years in Lagos or Ibadan. Yet, remarkably, she has never even crossed the Atlantic to visit Africa.

If she were to compete with some of Nigeria’s finest cooks, I have little doubt she would give them a serious contest. Her nickname may be “China,” but after my experience, “Naija” would be a far more fitting name. Her warmth, humility, kindness and generous spirit embody the very best of Nigerian hospitality.

Indeed, food was never in short supply. In fact, I was so well fed that I eventually had to plead with her to slow down. I joked that I had gained so much weight my own family might struggle to recognise me when I returned home.

As though determined to make the weight gain permanent, she often insisted on driving me to the train station, denying me the opportunity to walk off a few calories. It became a running joke between us.

Kayode often speaks proudly of his wife, noting how effortlessly she blends into Nigerian gatherings. At every “Naija party,” she dresses the part, mingles naturally and embraces the culture with remarkable ease. Watching her interact, one would hardly believe she did not grow up in Nigeria.

Their daughter, Yuhniece, reflects the same admirable values of industry, courtesy and ambition. Armed with an Associate Degree in Business Administration and Accounting, she has successfully translated her education into enterprise, building ventures in both real estate and the automobile business. She carries herself with maturity, confidence and the strong work ethic that clearly runs through the family.

As my World Cup assignment comes to an end, saying goodbye has become one of the most difficult parts of the journey. Families like the Ogunleyes remind one that true hospitality goes beyond providing a place to sleep. It is about making a guest feel loved, valued and completely at home. They did exactly that for me.

For every delicious meal, every ride to the station, every conversation, every laugh and every act of kindness, I owe the entire Ogunleye family a debt of gratitude that words can scarcely express.

Yet, every journey must eventually come to an end.

The consolation is that I now look forward to reuniting with my own family, who have always borne the sacrifices that come with my profession. Every World Cup has meant weeks away from home, missed family moments and long periods of absence.

My wife, Oby, our children and our grandchildren have, through the years, shown unwavering love, patience and understanding. They have accepted the demands of sports journalism with remarkable grace, even when it meant celebrating important family occasions without me. They have remained my greatest source of encouragement, reminding me that every sacrifice made in pursuit of excellence has meaning.

As I board my flight home, my heart is filled with gratitude—gratitude to the Ogunleyes for making New York feel like home, and gratitude to my own family for always making home worth returning to.

Some goodbyes are difficult because they remind us of the goodness of people. This is certainly one of them.

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