What You Need to Know about African Countries in the Qatar World Cup
Only three sides from Africa have ever made it as far as the quarter-finals at a World Cup. The good news is that all three of those nations are in Qatar.
A cursory look at the 2022 finals to Qatar odds shows that not many experts hold out much hope for the final four, or even eight to feature an African nation, but the continent has shown in the past it can produce an upset.
What needs to change is that they are able to do that not just in a one-off match but consistently throughout a tournament. So what are the chances of this being a golden year for African nations at the sport’s biggest festival?
Senegal
The continent’s greatest hope, and many people’s dark horses for getting to the last eight, Aliou Cisse’s team has enough star quality, particularly up front to worry any manager at the tournament.
In Sadio Mané and Boulaye Dia–a player already attracting EPL attention before a World Cup ball has been kicked – they have a forward pairing that could very well score the goals they will need to equal their showing in the 2002 World Cup when they reached the quarters.
The issue they could have is that many of their first eleven have not played many competitive minutes this season, as they sit on the benches at their European clubs, but if they do click, they could very well cause an upset.
Drawn in Group A, they face the Netherlands, hosts Qatar and Ecuador. It looks very much like the game against Ecuador, taking place on the 29th of November will be the one that decides which of those two teams progresses to the round of 16.
Tunisia
There are two things that will count against Jalal Kadri's side. First of all, the fact that in all five previous World Cups they have been involved in, Tunisia have never made it out of the group stages.
The second, and probably the more pertinent fact, is that they have been drawn in a very tough group. Group D contains holders and second favourites France, Denmark, who many people fancy as having an outside chance to get into the final four, and Australia, a side who may not have world class quality, will come with a belief and athleticism which means no team can ignore them.
Though Tunisia have no star names, Wahbi Khazri being the nearest to a household name in the squad, that could be an advantage as almost all the players are playing regularly for their teams, even if those teams don’t compete at the highest level.
Morocco
Like Tunisia, Morocco has not been given the easiest of draws, and will face Croatia, Belgium and Canada. Again, like Tunisia, they will see getting out of the group as their number one target, and do possess the quality, all over the pitch, to be competitive at this level.
Their attacking players should score goals; the question will be whether they can keep them out at the other end. At least a point against Croatia in their opening fixture is crucial.
Cameroon
The most successful African World Cup nation, and perhaps deserving of a semi-final place after pushing England so far in 1990, Rigobert Song will have been rueing his side’s luck when the draw for Qatar was made.
Drawn in Group G, alongside Brazil, Serbia and Switzerland, it will be a tough ask for any side to finish in the top two. The harsh truth is, the Indomitable Lions could play extremely well in all three games and still come away with nothing.
Ghana
Last but not least of the African sides, Ghana, who went out on penalties at the 2010 South Africa World Cup,have a very real chance of getting to the last sixteen at least.
With Arsenal star Thomas Partey running things in the middle of the park, and being drawn against Portugal, Uruguay and South Korea, if you had to bet on one African team to progress, the Black Stars could very well be the safest place to put your money.
As you can see, despite Ethiopia never having qualified for the World Cup – our sporting achievements lay elsewhere, of course, there is still plenty to cheer on at this World Cup, the first to take place in the Middle East.
