There’s now two months to go until the World Cup kicks off. The greatest sporting event on Earth is almost here, and it promises to be the biggest and greatest ever. For the first time ever, there are 48 teams heading to the World Cup in North America.
Although Nigeria’s Super Eagles tragically missed out on World Cup qualification, Africa is represented better than ever. 10 teams are coming from Africa to compete, twice as many as the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022. It means Africa has plenty of chances to make a statement on the world stage.
Here is a guide to some of the most exciting teams to watch at the World Cup come June, including AFCON winners Morocco, young and hungry Ivory Coast, and potential dark horses South Africa. Our South African readers can keep up with Soccer updates and promo codes through bettors.co.za.
Morocco are coming off the back of a bizarre AFCON win. Despite losing the chaotic final against Senegal earlier this year, they have been awarded the trophy after Senegal were forced to forfeit the win after their conduct, including leaving the pitch after frustration with refereeing decisions. Despite that, they remain the best team in Africa.
Morocco have plenty of talent, notably PSG’s Achraf Hakimi and Manchester United’s Noussair Mazraoui in defence, and attackers like Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz and Youssef En-Nesyri of Al-Ittihad.
Morocco have been drawn into a group with Brazil, but with Haiti and Scotland as the other group C members, Morocco will be confident of progressing, and confident of making a run once the knockout stage begins.
Morocco and other teams like Senegal might find strength in their defence, but Ivory Coast are built on their attack. With the support of an experienced midfield in Franck Kessie and Ibrahim Sangare, the Ivory Coast has a huge amount of attacking talent, including Yan Diomande, Amad Diallo, and Simon Adingra, and experienced heads like Nicolas Pepe and Wilfried Zaha.
Placed in a group with Germany, Curacao and Ecuador, Ivory Coast will be targeting a place in the top 2 and aim to win one knockout game and make it to the round of 16. With the talent at this disposal, they’ll at least be fun to watch going forward, if not successful.
Bafana Bafana have a lot to prove at the World Cup. It’s their first World Cup since they hosted the tournament in 2010, and the team has come a long way since then, transforming the team into one of the most well-drilled and cohesive teams on the continent.
Their team’s core is made up almost entirely of players from the Mamelodi Sundowns, and it allows them for a telepathepic connection that makes them hyper-efficient. Add to that the focal point of Lyle Foster, playing for Burnley in the Premier League, and South Africa start to look like a team capable of escaping their group.
They have been drawn into a tough Group A, with hosts Mexico, South Korea, and the Czech Republic. Their target remains making it out of the groups, and after a poor showing in AFCON, they’ll be looking to make an impression on the world stage.
