Nigeria, June 28 -- For decades, African teams have arrived at the FIFA World Cup with enormous expectations, only to leave wondering what might have been. There have been unforgettable moments, giant-killing performances and inspiring individual displays, but rarely has the continent produced the collective consistency needed to challenge football's traditional powerhouses.

At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, that narrative changed dramatically.

The expanded 48-team tournament presented Africa with its biggest-ever opportunity on the global stage, and the continent embraced it emphatically. Nine of Africa's 10 representatives progressed beyond the group stage, marking the greatest collective performance by African nations in World Cup history....