Confederation of African Football (CAF) President Dr Patrice Motsepe has challenged African nations to build on their impressive performances at the recently concluded 2026 FIFA World Cup and set their sights on reaching the semi-finals, or even winning the tournament, by 2030.
Addressing the media at a press conference in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Motsepe said African football had taken significant strides on the global stage, with several national teams proving they could compete with the world’s best.
The CAF president praised the performances of countries such as Morocco, Egypt, South Africa, Senegal, Ghana and Algeria, saying their displays reflected the growing strength and competitiveness of African football.
“We are proud of what our countries achieved at the FIFA World Cup. African football continues to improve, and we must now aim even higher. There is no reason why an African nation can not reach the semi-finals or go on to win the FIFA World Cup in the near future,” Motsepe said.
He added that the success of African teams was the result of continued investment in football development, improved coaching standards, and the emergence of talented young players competing in top leagues around the world.
Looking ahead, Motsepe confirmed that preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, to be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, remain on course. He said CAF is working closely with the three host nations to ensure stadiums, transport infrastructure, security arrangements and logistics meet international standards before the tournament kicks off.
He also welcomed discussions around the proposed PAMOJA Visa, which would allow supporters and participating teams to travel more easily between the three East African countries during the tournament.
Motsepe said CAF’s focus extends beyond hosting successful competitions, stressing the need to strengthen youth football, improve coaching education, enhance refereeing standards and invest in football infrastructure across the continent.
“We want to build on the momentum created by the World Cup. Our objective is to ensure African football continues to grow at every level, from grassroots to the professional game,” he said.
The CAF president further urged African football associations, governments and private sector partners to continue investing in the sport to unlock its full potential and create opportunities for future generations.
His remarks come just days before the start of the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, where the hosts (Morocco) will begin their title defence with hopes of retaining the continental crown.
The press conference reflected CAF’s confidence that African football is entering a new era, with growing ambitions not only to dominate continental competitions but also to become a consistent force on the global stage.
