Five countries from the Africa will represent the continent in the highly-anticipated winter tournament that is touted to take the world by storm from late November until late December. The first FIFA World Cup in the Middle East will have Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia all play their part to enhance the gold-laden trophy’s chances to arrive in Africa for the first time ever.
With African heavyweights Nigeria, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Algeria all missing out, these five other countries have qualified from a pot of 54 teams. They will now have the opportunity to showcase their skills and talent on the biggest stage of all.
The answer to the question of ‘how far can the African nations go?’ remains, and we aren’t far from knowing it. Here we look at all the five contenders from Africa in detail, including their chances to progress from the group stages and further into the competition. Their respective schedules are also highlighted.
- Senegal – FIFA Ranking: 20
Group A: Qatar, Ecuador, Senegal, Netherlands
The reigning African champions edged out Egypt in the final of the tournament after beating them 3-1 on penalties and secured their berth. Africa’s brightest hopes in the World Cup, the Teranga Lions will be appearing in the showdown event for a third time after playing in the 2002 and 2018 tournaments. Senegal have displayed their prowess by building their team around Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly and Edouard Mendy – all three plying their trade at the highest levels of club football in Europe. Their defensive abilities are bar none, however their attack can do with a little bit of gelling. They are pitched in Group A with hosts Qatar, Ecuador and Netherlands, and have every chance to progress to the knock-out stages. All in all, Senegal could very well match or even better their 2002 quarter-final finish.
- Monday, Nov 21 – Senegal vs Netherlands (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 10am)
- Friday, Nov 25 – Qatar vs Senegal (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 1pm)
- Tuesday, Nov 29 – Ecuador vs Senegal (Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3pm)
Prediction: Quarter-final
Morocco – FIFA Ranking: 24
Group F: Belgium, Morocco, Canada, Croatia
A sixth World Cup appearance is in the fray for Morocco after rising to 24th position in the FIFA rankings, but they will hope to undo their demons of the past and reach the last 16 stage for the first time since 1986. The Atlas Lions have some great talent in their squad, including PSG wingback Achraf Hakimi, defender Noussair Mazraoui and Chelsea winger Hakim Ziyech, but it is highly unlikely they have the firepower to go past the group stages or even the last 16 if they make it that far. They beat a relatively easy Democratic Republic of Congo side in the Third Round of qualification to seal their spot in the World Cup, but will find it extremely hard to overcome two of the tournament’s dark horses in Croatia and Belgium in Group F, which also contains newcomers Canada.
- Wednesday, Nov 23 – Morocco vs Croatia (Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 10am)
- Sunday, Nov 27 – Belgium vs Morocco (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 1pm)
- Thursday, Dec 1 – Canada vs Morocco (Al Thumama Stadium, Al Khor; kick-off 3pm)
Prediction: Group stage
Tunisia – FIFA Ranking: 35
Group D: France, Denmark, Tunisia, Australia/Peru/UAE
Arguably the weakest of all the African teams on the list, the Carthage Lions gambled their way through to securing a FIFA World Cup berth by ousting Mali by virtue of a freak own goal in a 1-0 aggregate win over two legs. They have never made it past the group stages of the showdown event in their five appearances so far and it looks highly likely they will experience the same fate again. With world champions France and dark horses Denmark in their group, Tunisia will find it hard to showcase their abilities. Moreover, either Australia, Peru or UAE will pose as a threat for a potential third place finish.
- Tuesday, Nov 22 – Denmark vs Tunisia (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 1pm)
- Saturday, Nov 26 – Tunisia vs TDB (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 10am)
- Wednesday, Nov 30 – Tunisia vs France (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 3pm)
Prediction: Group stage
- Cameroon – FIFA Ranking: 37
Group G: Brazil, Switzerland, Serbia, Cameroon
Always qualifying but never threatening, Cameroon has the highest World Cup appearances – seven – among the five African teams. But failing to qualify for the last edition of the tournament in Russia is poised to push the Indomitable Lions to better their quarter-final finish in Italy 1990. That was only their second-ever appearance and 32 years later, Cameroon are still struggling to match the lofty expectations of the nation. Captain Vincent Aboubakar and veteran Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting lead the line, but in a group full of stars, it is hard to see Cameroon overcome their adversaries without any problem. Brazil, Switzerland and Serbia will pose insurmountable threat to Cameroon’s hopes of advancing.
- Thursday, Nov 24 – Switzerland vs Cameroon (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 10am)
- Monday, Nov 28 – Cameroon vs Serbia (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 10am)
- Friday, Dec 2 – Cameroon vs Brazil (Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lusail; kick-off 7pm)
Prediction: Group stage
- Ghana – FIFA Ranking: 60
Group H: Ghana, Portugal, South Korea, Uruguay
Having appeared in three consecutive World Cups since making their debut in 2006, Ghana missed out on the edition in Russia, and will take this opportunity to undo the mistakes of their past. However, they do not possess he team they once did, with the likes of Sulley Muntari or Asamoah Gyan. The Black Stars will have to rely heavily on Arsenal midfield ace Thomas Partey. Ghana are pitted in arguably one of the toughest World Cup groups – Group H – alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal, Luis Suarez’s Uruguay and Heung Min-Son’s South Korea. It will be surprising to see either Portugal or Uruguay miss out on a last 16 spot, making Ghana’s hopes of advancing to the next round extremely slim.
- Thursday, Nov 24 – Portugal vs Ghana (Stadium 974, Doha; kick-off 4pm)
- Monday, Nov 28 – South Korea vs Ghana (Education City Stadium, Al Rayyan; kick-off 1pm)
- Friday, Dec 2 – Ghana vs Uruguay (Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah; kick-off 3pm)
Prediction: Group stage
According to statistics provided by online sports betting outlets, such as SBO, Senegal possesses the best odds to get through the group stages and make it far through the tournament, in stark contrast to their African compatriots. The aforementioned guide provides a remarkable insight into the intricacies of betting and the rules and regulations to be followed when delving in for the first time. There are numerous advantages to take into consideration for time users and also regular players – from free bets and cash backs to loyalty points and accumulator schemes. Sports ranging from horse racing and basketball to boxing and athletics can be accessed with a swipe of a finger.
With the 2022 FIFA World Cup just half-a-year away, the excitement is building with each passing day. And it would be in the best interests of all teams to keep close tabs on the five African teams involved, as a heavy upset can definitely be expected by the involved teams.
