Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has expressed confidence that an African nation can win the FIFA World Cup, pointing to the continent’s recent progress and improved performances on the international stage.
Wenger, who serves as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development, believes African teams have made considerable strides in tactical organisation and discipline, bringing them closer to competing successfully for football’s biggest prize.
Speaking at the CAF Strategy Conference in Cape Verde, the Frenchman highlighted Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as evidence of Africa’s growing strength.
Morocco became the first African and Arab nation to reach the last four of the tournament, defeating several established football powers before losing to France.
Wenger also referenced the performances of African representatives at the expanded World Cup hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, noting that nine of the continent’s ten teams progressed beyond the group stage.
According to him, the results demonstrate that African nations now possess the quality and organisation required to challenge the world’s leading football countries.
“Africa has made a fantastic step forward. There is still another step to make. We want to see an African team win the World Cup, and the numbers show that it is feasible,” he said.
However, Wenger warned that technical ability and impressive statistics alone would not guarantee success.
He explained that African teams must maintain concentration, strengthen their tactical structure and develop greater unity to compete consistently at the highest level.
The FIFA official also stressed the importance of mental strength, discipline and shared values in building a championship-winning team.
Wenger’s comments offer encouragement to African football, although he acknowledged that further progress would be necessary before a team from the continent could lift the World Cup trophy.