Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe on Wednesday praised Morocco's run to the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing it as "a source of pride and honor for all Africans" and a reflection of the continent's growing strength on the global stage.
Speaking at a press conference in Johannesburg reviewing Africa's participation in the tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, Motsepe said Morocco's achievement, alongside the strong performances of several other African teams, had enhanced the reputation of African football worldwide.
He said the qualification of multiple African nations for the knockout stages, capped by Morocco's quarterfinal appearance, would help strengthen the continent's standing and earn greater international recognition. Motsepe also announced that CAF plans to convene an expanded meeting with football stakeholders and partner organizations to discuss ways to sustain this momentum and accelerate the development of African football.
Africa enjoyed its best-ever World Cup campaign in 2026, with nine teams reaching the Round of 32, while Morocco advanced to the quarterfinals, building on the Atlas Lions' historic run to the semifinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
