Morocco reaches World Cup quarter‑final, sparking African football pride

Morocco advanced to the quarter‑finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, an achievement praised by CAF President Patrice Motsepe during a press conference in Johannesburg. Motsepe said the performance, along with nine African teams reaching the round of 32, reflects a "source of pride and respect" for African football on the global stage.

He highlighted the continent's progress since previous tournaments, noting higher qualification rates and the absence of African teams in knockout stages in earlier editions. CAF announced plans to boost development, including increased prize money for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations, preparations for the 2027 tournament hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, and a bidding process for future editions up to 2036.