Sodje Tips Four African Countries for Deep 2026 World Cup Runs

Former Super Eagles defender Sam Sodje has revealed the African countries he believes have the best chance of making a deep run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which kicks off Thursday (today).

Sodje named Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, and Ivory Coast as the nations that have the perfect opportunity to push far into the tournament. He insisted that Africa finally possesses the individual quality and squad depth required to compete directly with the world’s elite footballing nations. With the newly expanded tournament format featuring a record number of African representatives, expectations are rising across the continent.

Morocco, who are representing Africa on the global stage once again, remain the ultimate benchmark for the continent after their historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

Friendly form and fast starts

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Kapital FM ahead of the opening games, the Brentford Hall of Famer emphasized that a strong start will give these teams a massive edge. He noted that his predictions are based on how the countries performed in their recent warm-up friendlies.

“I’ve watched probably all of them in friendlies in other games before the World Cup. Morocco will stand with Africa. Senegal looks very good. Egypt is always going to be good, it all depends on how they start.

But you know the likes of Ghana in the last game, I was actually impressed. So we hope that the tournament changes things. But when it comes to the way they played, I didn’t really see them going too far.

Tunisia always have that blip every time. So I’m not too sure Tunisia, but to answer your question, I think Senegal, Ivory Coast and Egypt are the ones that I think with a good start, they can go really far and also Morocco.”

The impact of an expanded tournament

Sodje also stressed that momentum often shapes performances at major tournaments, particularly during the group stage, noting that the additional teams from the continent could be a major difference-maker.

“We always know tournaments are different. It all depends on how you start. Having 10 African nations going to the World Cup would make a big difference.

But it depends on how you start and I think some African countries, like Egypt is in a better group. But it depends on how you start in the World Cup and that would tell how far you can go.”

Closing the depth gap with Europe

The former international revealed that the true secret to success on the world stage lies in squad depth, an area where African teams have historically struggled but are now showing immense improvement.

“When it comes to talent-wise, the only difference between an African country and the European side or the South American side is the depth.

I think the African countries don’t have that depth and that’s why it’s always hard to go through the whole tournament not doing well.

But I think now some African countries have got the depth of players and so the chances are very high of us getting to a very good stage.”

Historic debuts and long-awaited returns

With ten African nations appearing at this year’s expanded tournament, the hierarchy of experience varies wildly. Cape Verde is set to make a historic World Cup debut on the global stage, while the Democratic Republic of Congo makes an emotional return to the tournament after a 52-year absence, having last appeared as Zaire in 1974.

Similarly, powerhouse nations like Algeria, South Africa, and Ghana look to build on past tournament legacies, aiming to make this expanded format Africa’s most successful World Cup campaign in history.

While, Morocco, Egypt, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, and Senegal enter the tournament as top contenders to fly the African flag on the global football stage.