As the 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway in Mexico, Canada and the United States, African players are backing the continent’s representatives to challenge the rest of the world, inspired by Morocco’s historic achievement at the last edition in Qatar, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

With the tournament expanded to 48 teams, Africa will be represented by 10 countries — Algeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.

Since the first edition of the global showpiece in 1930, no African nation has won the World Cup.

Cameroon (1990), Senegal (2002) and Ghana (2010) all reached the quarter-finals before Morocco set a new benchmark in Qatar 2022 by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.

The Atlas Lions’ historic run remains a source of inspiration four years later, with Senegal forward Iliman Ndiaye and South Africa captain Ronwen Williams among those believing African teams can go even further in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Williams, who will lead Bafana Bafana at the tournament, believes this year’s World Cup represents another major step forward for African football.

“We’ve been on the rise — the leagues, CAF, the African Champions League, AFCON,” he told the BBC.

“Everything has improved immensely. For so many countries to go out and compete at the highest level, it’s amazing.

“What Morocco did, that was the start for us as Africans to believe that we can go far,” Williams said.

“It starts with that belief, and then you need to go out and perform.”

Having the right mindset is equally important, according to Senegal forward Ndiaye.

“I wouldn’t even bother packing my suitcase and travelling to the World Cup if it’s not to win it,” he told Newsday on the BBC World Service.

“I don’t play these tournaments to just be a tourist.

“What Morocco did at the last World Cup should give all African teams inspiration.”

Former Ghana midfielder Michael Essien also believes Africa’s chances of making history have improved following the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams.

“There’s been a lot of progress,” the former Black Stars midfielder told BBC Sport Africa.

“The only thing that’s missing is luck. We just have to keep believing, and hopefully one day it will happen.”