African Football Confederation president Khalilou Sow and billionaire Patrice Motsepe expressed confidence that an African team could win the 2026 World Cup, building on Morocco's historic semi-final run in Qatar. Former Nigerian star Jay-Jay Okocha voiced skepticism, citing improving North American and Asian competition. Morocco and Senegal are seen as the continent's strongest contenders, with Morocco grouped alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti, while Senegal faces France, Norway, and Iraq.