Will Pele’s prediction of an African winner finally come true at the 2026 World Cup?
Saturday, 13 June 2026
ANALYSIS: Still regarded as history’s greatest footballer, Pele had what could be best described as a colourful life off the pitch.
The Brazilian superstar, who died in 2022, was a part of three World Cup-winning squads, playing major roles as a precocious teenager in 1958 and then in his prime in 1970.
He was married three times, the last when he was 75, and allegedly he had at least seven children by different mothers. After he retired from playing in 1974, he was soon back, turning out for New York Cosmos partly because of debts from failed investments.
In 1977, Pele predicted an African nation would win the World Cup before the year 2000. When that didn’t occur, he extended the deadline to 2010, when the continent hosted the tournament for the first time.
Sixteen years on, we’re still waiting for his vision to belatedly come true. Will it do so in the US, Canada and Mexico?
Recent history suggests the time is drawing close - Morocco made the semifinals at 2022 in Qatar. The new finals format, which sees 48 teams contest the group stage, with 32 advancing to the playoffs, offers wider opportunities.
Morocco and Senegal, who fought out a highly-controversial AFCON final last year, are the two best chances to spring a surprise and overcome the likes of Spain, France, Argentina, Brazil and England.
The 2022 semifinalists have a new coach in Mohamed Ouahbi, who guided his country to the Under-20 World Cup title last year.
Fullback Achraf Hakimi, winger Brahim Diaz and defender Noussair Mazraoui will be key players in a well-balanced side which should emerge from a group also consisting of Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.
Senegal had the AFCON title taken from them off the field, but a nation which made a massive shock in 2002 by beating holders France in their opening game on their way to the quarterfinals will enter the World Cup with confidence.
Sadio Mane, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly provide the experience, while Nicolas Jackson, Iliman Ndiaye, Pape Matar Sarr, Lamine Camara and Ibrahim Mbaye can deliver the thrills.
They’ve drawn a tough group alongside France, Norway and minnows Iraq, but will be feared by all if they advance to the last 32 as expected.
Ghana will be making their fifth World Cup finals appearance and came agonisingly close to becoming the first African nation to reach the semis, when Luis Suarez’s goal-line handball for Uruguay and the resulting missed penalty from Asamoah Gyan denied them. Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo will be their biggest star.
Ivory Coast finished their qualifying group unbeaten without conceding a goal in 10 games and will field teen winger Yan Diomande, who plays for RB Leipzig in Germany. They warmed up for the tournament with an eye-catching 2-1 win last week against 2022 runners-up France.
Egypt are in New Zealand’s group, with their attack based around English Premier League legend Mo Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush.
If an African side doesn’t upset the apple cart, which nation might be the bolters at the 2026 World Cup?
The popular choices are Norway, Japan, Ecuador and Turkey, but so much so that none of them would be a major shock.
Instead, here’s four sides that could genuinely spring a surprise and make the last four.
Switzerland
Hammered Sweden in qualifying, after a strong showing at Euro 2024. Breel Embolo, Dan Ndoye, Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi are poised to make a noise.
United States
Their best World Cup finish to date was a quarterfinal place in 2002. Mauricio Pochettino is a savvy coach, Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest will bomb forward as fullbacks and Christian Pulisic will pull the strings on attack.
Mexico
Also have the advantage of being co-hosts, in front of a fervent crowd and in taxing conditions for their opponents. They will seek to be dangerous on the counter-attack, with an attack led by Fulham striker Raul Jimenez, who is great in the air and an outstanding penalty-taker.
Australia
Not fancied by many of their fans, under the guidance of defence-minded coach Tony Popovic, our trans-Tasman neighbours are capable of beating the odds. Jordy Bos is a fantastic wing-back on the left flank, while fellow early 20s talents Nestory Irankunda (Watford) and Mo Toure (Norwich City) will be dangerous on attack.