FIFA World Cup World Cup : Which of the African nations will go furthest in Qatar?

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar is merely days away, and excitement the world over is at a fever pitch. France enter the tournament as reigning champions. They defeated Argentina, Uruguay, and Belgium en route to a showdown with Croatia in Moscow four years ago. Goals from Antoine Griezmann, Kylian Mbappe, and Paul Pogba, as well as an own goal from Mario Mandzukic, were enough to secure a 4-2 victory on a rain-soaked evening at the Luzhniki Stadium. 

Didier Deschamps’ side head to the Arabian Gulf State aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups and thus successfully retain the trophy. But it is the Selecao who are the favorites for glory. Should Neymar and co. manage to go all the way in the desert, they will bring the famous gold trophy back to Brazil for the sixth time in their history and the first time in 20 years. Their archrivals Argentina, however, may have something to say about that.

The upcoming World Cup will be the last one to feature Lionel Messi. The Argentinian magician will be just turning 40 in four years’ time. Therefore, this winter represents his fifth and final opportunity to bring the crown back to his homeland for the first time since 1986. The Albicelestes managed to defeat their eternal rivals on enemy territory last summer to lift the Copa America, Messi’s first international medal. Will there be a second added to his collection in a month’s time? 

What of Africa’s chances? 

The continent of Africa will have five representatives at this winter’s showdown in the desert. Reigning AFCON champions Senegal have been drawn in Group A alongside tournament hosts Qatar, 2010 finalists the Netherlands, and Ecuador. Tunisia have been drawn alongside the reigning champions in Group D, as well as Euro 2020 semifinalists Denmark, and Australia. 

Morocco will be featuring at consecutive World Cups for the first time since they achieved the same feat in 1994 & 1998. They disappointed in Russia four years ago, losing their opening game 1-0  against lowly Iran, before suffering a defeat to Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal by the same scoreline. Morocco have been drawn alongside Belgium – who finished in third place four years ago – as well as Croatia and Canada. 

Cameroon are back on the international stage after missing Russia 2018, and they have a tough-looking group against tournament favorites Brazil, and European duo Serbia and Switzerland. 

The final African representatives are Ghana. They will be seeking redemption in Group H, as they face Uruguay for the first time since the hand of Luis Suarez stopped them from becoming the first African nation to reach the semifinals of a World Cup. The other two teams alongside them are Portugal and South Korea. 

Which of the five has the best chance of reaching the latter stages? 

Some nations have better chances than others of reaching the knockout stages, and perhaps going even further. Our main pick, however, is Senegal. The Lions of Teranga impressed earlier in the year when they swept all before them en route to a maiden Africa Cup of Nations triumph in Cameroon. And they will be aiming to give a better account of themselves in this year’s World Cup than they did in 2018, when they didn’t make it out of their group. 

One problem that manager Aliou Cissewill have to deal with is a knock to his starman Sadio Mane. The Bayern Munich attacker limped off injured in the Bavarians’ recent victory over Werder Bremen. With the huge number of matches played by modern footballers, it’s no surprise that more and more players are ending up injured, but we still think that Senegal will qualify from their group. 

Morocco also have the potential to impress. If they can manage a result against Canada – who are featuring at their first World Cup since 1986 – then a point against either Croatia or Belgium may be enough to see them through to the last 16. 


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