And Just Like That Another World Cup Has Come and Gone… So, Africa, When Is It Finally Our Turn?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has crowned Spain as its champion after a 1-0 victory over Argentina; the confetti has settled, the celebrations are over, and the trophy is heading home with them.

Meanwhile, across Africa, millions of football fans are doing what we seem to do every four years—asking the same question with a smile, a sigh, and just a little bit of frustration:

"So... when is it finally going to be our turn?"

If we're being honest, supporting an African team at the World Cup is an emotional workout that should probably come with a health warning. One minute we're celebrating goals as though the trophy is already on its way to the continent, and the next we're convincing ourselves that there's always the next World Cup.

This year was no different at all.

Hope Arrived Wearing Different Colours

The tournament began with hope spread across the continent.

Senegal marched in confidence as African champions, and Egypt reminded everyone why the Pharaohs remain one of the continent's football giants.

Ghana, the Black Stars, became one of Africa's most respected teams, while Algeria battled with the determination their supporters have come to expect.

DR Congo refused to fear anyone, and Côte d'Ivoire fought with the pride of a nation that knows what it takes to win major tournaments.

Then there was Cabo Verde.

A country of just over half a million people somehow became one of the biggest stories of the World Cup, proving that football has never cared about the size of your population. The Blue Sharks didn't just represent their islands; they represented every nation that has ever been told its dreams were too big.

And, of course, Morocco once again carried the weight of an entire continent as the tournament reached its decisive stages.

For a few weeks, Africa wasn't divided by borders, languages, or rivalries.

We all became supporters of whoever was still standing.

The 80th Minute that Constantly Ruined Africa

If there was one minute African fans wished they could skip during this World Cup, it was the 80th. It felt like every time an African team took the lead or looked destined for a famous victory, the clock would strike 80, the opponents would suddenly remember they were football giants, and our celebrations would quietly turn into deep sighs. 

By the final whistle, many supporters had started looking at the match clock more nervously than the scoreboard, wondering whether the last ten minutes would finally show Africa some mercy. 

Unfortunately, they rarely did. 😅

Senegal showed Belgium they were more than capable of competing at the highest level, even taking the lead before the match slipped away late.

DR Congo stunned England by scoring first and looked destined for one of the biggest upsets of the tournament. Yet as the minutes ticked away, England found another gear, turning hope into heartbreak.

Egypt had Argentina staring at elimination with a two-goal advantage before the defending champions produced a dramatic comeback in the closing stages.

Even Cabo Verde pushed Argentina until the very end, refusing to surrender despite facing one of football's greatest teams.

By the time the tournament ended, African fans had started treating the 80th minute like an unwanted visitor. Like why? We had the lead...

Maybe We're Getting Closer Than We Think

Every World Cup leaves behind one question.

Could Africa have done more?

Perhaps.

But maybe we're asking the wrong question.

Maybe the better question is this:

How much longer can the rest of the world keep Africa waiting?

Because every tournament produces another generation of fearless players.

Every four years, another African nation proves it belongs.

Every four years, another giant discovers that beating an African team is never as easy as people predicted.

Perhaps Africa isn't late.

Perhaps history is simply taking the scenic route. And our time is coming when an African country carries the World Cup trophy. 

Until We Meet Again... The Hope Still Carries Africa 

So, another World Cup has ended.

The trophy has another home.

The celebrations belong to another nation.

And African football fans? We'll complain about missed chances, debate coaching decisions, replay every controversial VAR decision, and spend months explaining how things could have been different and how close we came to winning this time.

Then qualifying will begin.

Hope will quietly return.

And by the time the next World Cup arrives, we'll all be saying exactly what we've said before every tournament:

"This could be our year."

People might laugh.

They've laughed before.

But one day, they'll stop laughing.

Because when an African nation finally lifts the FIFA World Cup, it won't feel like a miracle.

It will feel like something that had been coming all along.

And when that day finally arrives, don't be surprised if an entire continent celebrates as though it has won together.

After all, that's what African football has always been about, unless it is Morocco. 😁