Since the very first edition of the FIFA World Cup in 1930, only thirteen African countries have ever participated. To date, 22 editions of the most prestigious Football competition in the world have already been held. However, no African team has ever been able to lift this trophy. However, it was not the performances that were lacking. How can we forget Morocco’s incredible performance at the 2022 edition in Qatar where the Atlas Lions almost qualified for the final. Here are some unforgettable moments of African teams at the World Cup.
Memorable First Times
We always remember our first time. Indeed, how can we forget that the first participation of an African team in the World Cup was in 1934.
Tunisia has the merit of being the first African team to snatch a victory in a World Cup match. It’s one of the most memorable moments in World Cup history, like winning at RouletteDoc. It was the 1978 edition and no one expected such performances from the Eagles of Carthage.
At the 1990 World Cup in Italy, Cameroon made history by being the first African team to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup. They first start by beating the great Diego Maradona’s Argentina team. That day, being Cameroonian was more exciting than playing free roulette without downloading and earn real money.
In 2022, for the first time in its history, an African team reached the semi-finals. Hakimi’s Morocco beat Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal 1 goal to 0. A victory which allows them to join Kylian Mbappé’s France in the semi-finals. However, there are some that are remembered and produce sensations as thrilling as playing RouletteDoc. Later, in 2002, Senegal delivered a memorable match against France.
Find below the top scorers Africans in the World Cup.
| Player names | Number of goals | Number of selections |
| Asamoah Gyan | 6 | 11 |
| Roger Milla | 5 | 10 |
| Ahmed Musa | 4 | 7 |
| Papa Bouba Diop | 3 | 5 |
| Wahbi Khazri | 3 | 5 |
| Youssef En-Nesyri | 3 | 6 |
| Samuel Eto’o | 3 | 8 |
5 key facts about Africans in the World Cup
Whether in terms of their constitution or a particular behavior, certain African teams have been inspiring. Here are some surprising facts:
- Cameroon remains the only team in World Cup history to top their group in the first round with a negative goal difference.
- Jérôme Boateng (Germany) and Kevin-Prince Boateng (Ghana) are the only brothers to play against each other in a World Cup.
- The legendary Cameroonian goalkeeper Thomas Nkono is the man who convinced the Italian Gigi Buffon to also become a goalkeeper. Buffon wanted to become a midfielder before seeing Nkono play.
- To date, of the eleven players to have participated in four World Cups, there are only two Africans: Rigobert Song and Samuel Eto’o.
- South Africa was the first and only country on the continent to host the FIFA World Cup. In 2030, Morocco should become the second.
Although it has not yet lifted this prestigious trophy, the African continent has already left its lasting mark on this world competition.
Senegal
