FIFA Reconfirms Minimum Nine Slots for Africa at 2026 World Cup

FIFA President, Gianni Infantino, has confirmed that at least nine African teams will compete in the 2026 World Cup that would take place in the United States of America, Mexico and Canada.

Infantino made the remarks when the 46th Confederation of African Football (CAF) Ordinary General Assembly opened on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.

This brought together leaders and delegates of member associations from across Africa.

“In World Cup 2026, there will be nine or 10 African countries (and regions) participating in the World Cup,’’ said Infantino.

He noted that the increase is to be made in line with FIFA’s expanded World Cup format.

Infantino urged African countries to further invest in and unleash the potential of the continent’s young football players.

“I encourage all of you to continue investing in youth football because those kids, those girls and boys, will be the stars of tomorrow,’’ he said.

The president said FIFA is also considering increasing the number of African teams participating in the FIFA Women’s World Cup to six.

He also noted that Morocco is set to host the FIFA World Cup in 2030, which would make the country the second African nation to host the World Cup after South Africa.

Addressing the opening session of the Assembly, Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie appealed to CAF to endorse Ethiopia’s bid to host the 2029 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2029) tournament.

Atske Selassie noted the need to bring the World Cup trophy to African soil, although many players with African roots becoming instrumental for the victory of non-African nations to claim the prestigious football trophy.

Expressing best wishes for Ethiopia’s bid to host AFCON 2029, CAF President Patrice Motsepe encouraged the government of Ethiopia and the football federation to work closely to make timely decisions regarding Ethiopia’s proposal submission.

Former African football stars, including Samuel Eto’o, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha, El-Hadji Diouf, among others, attended the 46th CAF Ordinary General Assembly. (Xinhua/NAN)