Can an African team eventually win the World Cup? Though making it to the quarterfinals is the best performance by an African team in the tournament's history. The competing teams' top priority at the FIFA World Cup 2022 should thus be to advance to the semifinals. Let’s have a look at the key players, group phase fixtures, and the preview of the African teams in the 22nd edition of the World Cup.
Which African nations will play in the Qatar World Cup 2022?
Five countries from CAF (Confederation of African Football) will partake in the FIFA World Cup 2022. The teams that will play in the main event are Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. Among the participating teams from Africa, Cameroon will have the most appearances with eight, followed by Morocco (6), Tunisia (6), Ghana (4), and Senegal (3).
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African countries' groups for the 2022 Qatar World Cup
There are eight groups in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and each of the five African countries will play in different groups. The top-ranked team from Africa, Senegal, will play in group A. Among the other teams, Tunisia will play in group D, Morocco in group F, Cameroon in group G, and Ghana in group H.
Senegal’s opponents in group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Netherlands
Tunisia’s opponents in group D: France, Australia, Denmark
Morocco’s opponents in group F: Belgium, Canada, Croatia
Cameroon’s opponents in group G: Brazil, Serbia, Switzerland
Ghana’s opponents in group H: Portugal, Uruguay, Korea Republic
Qatar World Cup 2022: Preview of African teams and group phase fixtures
Thirteen African countries have participated in the World Cup final events so far, and their overall record hasn’t been as impressive as expected. Besides, the only time a World Cup event was staged in Africa was back in 2010 in South Africa.
Only three African teams have reached the quarter-finals of the football World Cup and they are Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010. Will an African side finally break the jinx and become the first to advance to the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup? Let’s find out which teams from the CAF have the best chance to do it.
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Senegal
FIFA Rank: 18 | Best Result in World Cup: (Quarter Finals, 2002)
Head Coach: Aliou Cisse | Captain: Kalidou Koulibaly
Key players to watch: Edouard Mendy, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mane
The reigning Africa Cup of Nations Champions, Senegal, are the best ranked team from the continent to take part in the upcoming football World Cup. The team has some seriously talented players who play in Europe's top leagues. Senegal are early favourites to top their group. Many consider them the only realistic candidate from Africa to win the World Cup 2022. Senegal can go all the way to the finals if they find momentum from the beginning of the competition.
Senegal’s group phase fixtures: Netherlands (Nov 21), Qatar (Nov 25), Ecuador (Nov 29)
Morocco
FIFA Rank: 22 | Best Result in World Cup: (Round of 16, 1986)
Head Coach: Walid Regragui | Captain: Romain Saiss
Key players to watch: Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech
Morocco’s chances of qualifying for the Round of 16 are slim as Croatia and Belgium are the two hot favourites in group F. However, Morocco have some quality players on their roster who should shoulder extra responsibility if they are to finish in the top two in the point standings.
Morocco’s group phase fixtures: Croatia (Nov 23), Belgium (Nov 27), Canada (Dec 1)
Tunisia
FIFA Rank: 30 | Best Result in World Cup: (Group Stage, 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018)
Head Coach: Jalel Kadri | Captain: Youssef Msakni
Key players to watch: Montassar Talbi, Saif-Eddine Khaoui, Youssef Msakni
Like Morocco, Tunisia will also face tough battles in their group in order to finish second in the points table. From this group, Denmark and France are the two strongest candidates to reach the next stage. Most likely, the Tunisian side will battle it out against Australia for the third spot.
Tunisia’s group phase fixtures: Denmark (Nov 22), Australia (Nov 26), France (Nov 30)
Read: FIFA World Cup 2022: Participating countries, venues, full group phase fixtures
Cameroon
FIFA Rank: 43 | Best Result in World Cup: (Quarter Finals, 1990)
Head Coach: Rigobert Song | Captain: Vincent Aboubakar
Key players to watch: Nicolas Nkoulou, Karl Toko Ekambi, Vincent Aboubakar
Cameroon have some quality players who can put up a great fight against their group stage opponents for a second-placed finish. But it will be a really tough battle as both Switzerland and Serbia will be tough opponents, while Brazil are favourites to finish top of the points table.
Cameroon’s group phase fixtures: Switzerland (Nov 24), Serbia (Nov 28), Brazil (Dec 2)
Ghana
FIFA Rank: 61 | Best Result in World Cup: (Quarter Finals, 2010)
Head Coach: Otto Addo | Captain: Andre Ayew
Key players to watch: Daniel Amartey, Thomas Partey, Jordan Ayew
Ghana is in what is arguably the group of death, alongside Portugal, Uruguay, and South Korea, all vying for a spot in the Round of 16. Ghana have some experienced and talented players who have the ability to fight hard in tough situations. They must work hard in order to advance to the next round.
Ghana’s group phase fixtures: Portugal (Nov 24), South Korea (Nov 28), Uruguay (Dec 2)
Way Forward
Senegal have the best probability of advancing to the Round of 16 given the quality of the African teams and their group-stage fixtures for the FIFA World Cup 2022. The Senegalese team has the opportunity to get to the semifinals as the first nation from Africa. Cameroon and Ghana have a decent chance of moving on to the next round, whereas Morocco and Tunisia have a slim chance of doing well in the World Cup. However, the performances of each team's key players will be crucial in the main event.
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