Africa at the world cup: what sets the teams back?
Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia are the 5 African nations competing at the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Africa is yet to win at the World Cup. Most recently, Ghana reached the quarterfinals in South Africa’s 2010 World Cup.
SO WHAT DOES THE WORLD CUP OFFER?
Participating in the World Cup can have immense rewards and give African players the opportunity to play with world class teams and to market themselves to the world.
The monetary rewards
Teams participating in the World Cup receive an advance of $1.5 Million for preparation costs. $9 Million for teams finishing 17th through 32nd and $13 Million reward for teams making it to the first round of 16. More is rewarded as teams progress further in the stages, all fighting for the $30 Million Winner Prize.
Host countries win big
The real winners, however, are the countries hosting the World Cup. Travel and tourism booms whilst jobs are created in construction. For instance, the 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa created about 452,000 jobs before and during the tournament.
With the 2026 World Cup host already decided in 2014 (a joint hosting by Canada, US and Mexico) the 2030 World Cup is open for bidding, with African countries like Morocco looking to co-host the 2030 global tournament with Tunisia and Algeria.
SUCCESS AWAY FROM HOME
Though the continent has never brought home the Golden cup, many African players have gained international recognition and play in notable leagues such as the English Premier League, the Spanish La Liga among others.
You will know the likes of Senegal's Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich) and Egypt’s Mohammed Salah (Liverpool) who have attracted an enormous following due to their outstanding performance and unique playing style.
Sadio Mane, who is sadly not playing in this tournament due to injury, even came in second to winning the Ballon d’Or, a prestigious annual award defeating world renowned players like Messi and Ronaldo in the process.
Mohammed Salah on the other hand, was awarded the Premier League Golden Boot award, the Football Writers’ Association Footballer award (FWA), the Professional Footballers Association award (PFA), and the Premier League's Playmaker of the Season award, all in 2022.
There are countless upcoming talents throughout the continent. For example, Karim Konate, is a promising 18-year old from Cote d'Ivoire playing for RB Salzburg. From Ghana you have Abdul Issahaku Fatavu, a talented attacking midfielder playing for Sporting CP. Fatavu has been described by The Guardian as arguably the greatest African prospect of his generation.
WHAT SETS THEM BEHIND AT HOME?
1. Across the continent, there is a severe lack of investment in football.
Investing in education through football academies plays an important role in recognizing and nurturing talent at a young age. It also helps transition players into more competitive adult leagues.
Génération Foot in Senegal and the PEPSI Football Academy in Nigeria are two of the few academies working to nurture young talents. Many other academies scattered around the continent perform poorly.
2. Few reputable coaches
Players need good coaching from reputable figures rather than “friendly neighbourhood” trainers. Such coaches can bridge the gap between local and international football.
A reputable coach’s network may also help to secure friendly matches with world class teams, which could improve their overall field performance.
3. Subpar infrastructure
Many football grounds in Africa are unworthy by FIFA standards. Aaron Mokoena, then captain of South Africa, noted how several African countries are forced to play their home games away due to a lack of adequate stadiums. Africa is yet to win at the World Cup. Most recently, Ghana reached the quarterfinals in South Africa’s 2010 World Cup.
SO WHAT DOES THE WORLD CUP OFFER?
Participating in the World Cup can have immense rewards and give African players the opportunity to play with world class teams and to market themselves to the world.
The monetary rewards
Teams participating in the World Cup receive an advance of $1.5 Million for preparation costs. $9 Million for teams finishing 17th through 32nd and $13 Million reward for teams making it to the first round of 16. More is rewarded as teams progress further in the stages, all fighting for the $30 Million Winner Prize.
Host countries win big
The real winners, however, are the countries hosting the World Cup. Travel and tourism booms whilst jobs are created in construction. For instance, the 2010 World Cup hosted by South Africa created about 452,000 jobs before and during the tournament.
With the 2026 World Cup host already decided in 2014 (a joint hosting by Canada, US and Mexico) the 2030 World Cup is open for bidding, with African countries like Morocco looking to co-host the 2030 global tournament with Tunisia and Algeria.
SUCCESS AWAY FROM HOME
Though the continent has never brought home the Golden cup, many African players have gained international recognition and play in notable leagues such as the English Premier League, the Spanish La Liga among others.
You will know the likes of Senegal's Sadio Mane (Bayern Munich) and Egypt’s Mohammed Salah (Liverpool) who have attracted an enormous following due to their outstanding performance and unique playing style.
Sadio Mane, who is sadly not playing in this tournament due to injury, even came in second to winning the Ballon d’Or, a prestigious annual award defeating world renowned players like Messi and Ronaldo in the process.
Mohammed Salah on the other hand, was awarded the Premier League Golden Boot award, the Football Writers’ Association Footballer award (FWA), the Professional Footballers Association award (PFA), and the Premier League's Playmaker of the Season award, all in 2022.
There are countless upcoming talents throughout the continent. For example, Karim Konate, is a promising 18-year old from Cote d'Ivoire playing for RB Salzburg. From Ghana you have Abdul Issahaku Fatavu, a talented attacking midfielder playing for Sporting CP. Fatavu has been described by The Guardian as arguably the greatest African prospect of his generation.
WHAT SETS THEM BEHIND AT HOME?
1. Across the continent, there is a severe lack of investment in football.
Investing in education through football academies plays an important role in recognizing and nurturing talent at a young age. It also helps transition players into more competitive adult leagues.
Génération Foot in Senegal and the PEPSI Football Academy in Nigeria are two of the few academies working to nurture young talents. Many other academies scattered around the continent perform poorly.
2. Few reputable coaches
Players need good coaching from reputable figures rather than “friendly neighbourhood” trainers. Such coaches can bridge the gap between local and international football.
A reputable coach’s network may also help to secure friendly matches with world class teams, which could improve their overall field performance.
3. Subpar infrastructure
Many football grounds in Africa are unworthy by FIFA standards. Aaron Mokoena, then captain of South Africa, noted how several African countries are forced to play their home games away due to a lack of adequate stadiums.