Bonus: Can an African team win the World Cup?

The question of whether an African nation can win the FIFA World Cup has long been a dream deferred, but this episode of More Than The Score argues the moment may finally be here. With a record 10 African teams competing in the 2026 World Cup, the conversation shifts from 'if' to 'when' — and the evidence suggests Africa is no longer just participating, but contending. Former players Gabriel Zaquani (DR Congo) and Stephen Kolker (Sierra Leone) break down the structural shifts that are changing the game: Morocco’s historic 2022 semifinal run shattered the 'quarterfinal ceiling,' proving African teams can compete at the highest level. Now, with investments in infrastructure, homegrown coaching, and diaspora recruitment, nations like Senegal and the DRC are building sustainable pathways to success. The episode reveals that the real barrier isn’t talent — Africa has produced legends like Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane — but systemic underinvestment and logistical hurdles like grueling travel. Yet, with teams now training in world-class facilities, adapting to global conditions, and inspiring a new generation through stories like Axel Tawanzibi’s World Cup-winning goal, the foundation is being laid. As one guest puts it: 'The eggshell has been broken.' The dream isn’t just possible — it’s imminent.