10 from Europe 4 from South America 1 from North America 1 from Asia No African teams. The 5 African qualifiers managing just 2 wins between them so far from 14 games, although Tunisia still have one to play. Considering how many African players ply their trade at the top European teams, the lack of success in World Cups for African nations seems a bit perplexing. Bang average European teams with nowhere near the same talent seem to fair much better.
It’s the first time since 1982 that an African nation hasn’t qualified for a World Cup knockout stage
I think its down to preparation to some extent. European clubs go there and look the part and train hard, then you see Senegal dancing as opposed to warming up
That doesn't make them successful. I don't believe an African nation has ever made it through to the semi finals.
Not arguing just an interesting fact I found on twitter, Ghana really should have got there in 2010 if hadn't been for Suarez
Definitely not 1990. We knocked them out in the quarters! They didn't get out of the the group in 94. Furthest an African nation has progressed is the quarter final: Cameroon in 90, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010.
When it were a 16 team comp Africa had one qualifier when it went to 24 teams 82-94 they had 2 qualifiers, now its 32 teams they have 5 qualifiers unless its in Africa then its 6. Looked rarnd turn off century that they were improving on the world stage but seem to be going backwards.
Tbh there’s only Brazil and Argentina consistent from South America for all the flair of Columbia and hardworking Uruguayans .
You’re only as good as your weakest link in team games. Whilst the best of Africa are great, the 10th/11th in each team are pretty sketchy and the squads are no match.
There should be an African team there in Senegal, Japan are a poor side & only got a win through Colombia’s defender getting sent off in the 3rd round. They’ve been quite unlucky with that sending off, with Salah’s injury & with Nigeria getting such a tough draw. How Tunisia are qualifying ahead of Ivory Coast & Ghana for example is baffling but I suppose you could say the same in Europe with Italy & Holland not making it.
Don’t they only get 4 in the tournament though? Or 4 plus 1 play off against another continent. They do pretty well, normally 75 or 80% through into the last 16, one could argue they deserve more places as most of their teams get through but then it’s awkward when a pool of only 11 teams is getting 6 or 7 qualifiers. I’d say Chile are better than half the teams in this tournament
Great point, imagine if Zidane played for Algeria, you’d imagine France would’ve never won in 98 or 2000
Should be two cracking games today. France & Spain are my two tips to win it. Argentina will be a tough opponent though. Quite fancy Uruguay versus Portugal, if they can contain Ronaldo. Can see some heavy challenges on him early on!
