Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has showered praise on African national football teams for their stellar performances at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, commending their resilience, competitiveness, and the historic breakthroughs that have captured global attention. In a post shared on her verified X account on Sunday, 5 July 2026, the former Nigerian Finance Minister expressed immense pride in the continent's footballing trajectory, singling out Morocco and Egypt for advancing to the next stage while describing Cape Verde as the tournament's standout African side.
"So proud of the performance of the African teams at the World Cup! Morocco and Egypt have made it through so far, but Cape Verde was a standout," Okonjo-Iweala wrote. She also acknowledged the efforts of DR Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana, noting that although the teams failed to advance, they displayed courage and resilience throughout their campaigns. "DRC, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana also battled. Thanks to all for making us proud. Keeping fingers crossed on further progress!" she added.
The WTO chief reserved special praise for Cape Verde, describing the Blue Sharks as a standout team despite their elimination after a spirited campaign in their maiden World Cup appearance. The island nation, making its debut on football's biggest stage, emerged as one of the tournament's surprise packages, capturing the imagination of football neutrals globally with their tactical discipline and high-octane performances. Though Cape Verde's journey ended in the Round of 32, their spirited display has been widely celebrated as a testament to the growing depth and competitiveness of African football.
Okonjo-Iweala's commendation comes amid a thrilling run for African football, which has seen a record nine nations secure places in the knockout stage of the expanded 48-team tournament. Morocco and Egypt, the continent's two remaining representatives, have both progressed to the Round of 16, carrying Africa's hopes of ending its long wait for a first World Cup title. Both teams advanced on penalties, continuing a pattern that has seen two African sides reach the last-16 at several recent World Cups. The collective impact of African teams at this tournament has been profound, signaling a new era of competitiveness from the continent.
Looking beyond the current tournament, Okonjo-Iweala also expressed hope that Nigeria's Super Eagles would secure qualification for the next FIFA World Cup. "Would be exciting if Nigeria makes it through to the next World Cup," she wrote. Sports analysts have interpreted the remark as a gentle reminder to the Nigeria Football Federation to overhaul its technical, structural, and administrative machinery ahead of upcoming CAF qualification windows. The Super Eagles, who failed to qualify for the 2026 edition, have been conspicuously absent from the tournament, a fact that has not escaped the notice of Nigeria's most prominent global diplomat.
As the Round of 16 continues, Africa's hopes now rest squarely on Morocco and Egypt, who will carry the continent's ambitions into the next phase of the tournament. Okonjo-Iweala's message of pride and optimism reflects the sentiment of millions across the continent who have watched African teams deliver one of the most memorable performances in World Cup history. The continuous progression of multiple African teams past the group stages reinforces the growing argument that the gap between traditional football giants and the African continent has narrowed significantly. With Morocco having previously shattered boundaries by reaching the semi-finals in recent tournament history, expectations are incredibly high across the continent that an African nation could imminently contest for the ultimate trophy.
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