Governance expert and democracy advocate Dr. Christopher Fomunyoh has praised the outstanding performance of African teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026, describing their qualification for the knockout stages as a powerful demonstration of the continent’s growing competitiveness on the global stage.
Dr. Fomunyoh, who serves as Senior Associate for Africa and Special Advisor to the President of the National Democratic Institute (NDI), congratulated the African nations that successfully advanced from the group stages, saying their achievements were earned through merit, preparation and determination.
“They came prepared, played to par and qualified fair and square. Bravo!” he said in a message celebrating the teams’ success.
The qualified African nations include South Africa, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Cabo Verde, Egypt, Senegal, Ghana, DR Congo and Algeria, all of which secured places in the next round after impressive performances against some of the world’s top footballing nations.
According to Dr. Fomunyoh, the achievement goes beyond football and carries important lessons for Africa’s development. He noted that with African teams accounting for 28% of the countries progressing to the next stage of the tournament, the continent has once again demonstrated its ability to compete successfully when given equal opportunities.
“Beyond the soccer itself, this is another proof that selected on merit and competing mano à mano , 11 to 11, we can hold our ground and will always shine, as should be,” he stated.
The success of the African teams has generated excitement across the continent, with fans celebrating what many consider one of the strongest collective performances by African nations in World Cup history.
Morocco, which made history at the 2022 FIFA World Cup by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals, continued to build on its reputation as a global football powerhouse. Traditional giants such as Senegal, Ghana, Algeria, Egypt and Côte d’Ivoire also demonstrated their quality and experience, while South Africa, DR Congo and Cabo Verde earned praise for their resilience and tactical discipline.
Football analysts have pointed to improved investment in youth development, stronger domestic leagues, better coaching structures and increased exposure of African players in elite international competitions as some of the factors contributing to the continent’s growing success.
For many observers, the performances have reinforced the belief that African football is entering a new era, one characterized by confidence, professionalism and consistency at the highest level.
Dr. Fomunyoh said the accomplishments of the teams should inspire Africans beyond the sporting arena, emphasizing that excellence, preparation and merit can enable the continent to thrive in every sector.
As the knockout stages begin, millions of supporters across Africa will be hoping their teams can continue their impressive run and perhaps deliver the continent’s best-ever performance at the FIFA World Cup.
“Forward ever,” Dr. Fomunyoh concluded, expressing optimism that Africa’s brightest moments on the global stage are still ahead.
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