With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just days away, Nigeria Info 99.3FM sports analysts believe African teams have a strong chance of making history at the tournament.
Speaking ahead of the competition, the analysts pointed to teams such as Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Algeria as countries capable of progressing from their groups.
They said Morocco and Senegal, in particular, could be among the tournament's surprise packages.
Chigozie Okoroji, also known as Ovadoze, said Morocco, which reached the semifinals at the last World Cup in Qatar, could go even further this time.
“Maybe this will just be the shot that the African team needs to get into the first final and probably win the World Cup,” he said.
He also predicted that Morocco, Ivory Coast, Egypt and Senegal have realistic chances of advancing, while teams such as Tunisia, Ghana, Cape Verde and DR Congo may face more difficult challenges in their groups.
Beyond the football, the analysts also discussed what they described as a quieter atmosphere around the tournament compared with previous World Cups.
Femi Taiwo, also known as Femi the Pundit said there has not been the usual excitement and global buzz often associated with a World Cup year, especially in countries such as Nigeria, which failed to qualify for the competition.
He suggested that one reason could be that football, known as soccer in the United States, is not the country's most popular sport, noting that basketball, baseball and American football traditionally attract more attention.
However, both Ovadoze and Femi said the tournament's hosts — the United States, Mexico and Canada — will still offer a unique cultural experience.
Femi noted that the expanded 48-team competition will bring together fans and players from different backgrounds, creating one of the most diverse World Cups ever.
He also warned that factors such as heat, weather conditions and altitude could influence results during the month-long tournament.
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