'The numbers don't lie' - Wenger: Africa is closer than ever to FIFA World Cup triumph

Wenger, FIFA's Chief of Global Football Development, said Africa had made major progress at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where nine of the continent's 10 representatives advanced to the knockout stages.

"Africa has made a fantastic step forward. There is still another step to make. We want to see an African team win the World Cup, and the numbers show that it is feasible," Wenger said at the CAF Strategy Conference in Cape Verde.

"The numbers don't lie, but football is not only numbers. It is also attitude, mental qualities, unity and your value system. Those are things you have to continue working on."

Morocco remain the benchmark for African football after their historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they became the first African nation to reach the last four.

The Atlas Lions defeated Belgium, Spain and Portugal on their way to the semi-finals, keeping clean sheets against several leading European sides before losing 2-0 to France. They eventually finished fourth after a 2-1 defeat by Croatia in the third-place play-off.

Wenger believes the performances of African teams in 2026 demonstrated how far they have progressed, particularly in their defensive organisation and ability to compete against the world's strongest nations.

"In the past, African teams sometimes lost because of a lack of compactness, too much distance between the lines and inconsistent concentration," he said.

"At this World Cup, it was difficult to beat any African team because the discipline and organisation were at the top level."

However, Wenger warned that the difference between success and disappointment remains small, with individual mistakes and fine margins continuing to decide matches at the highest level.

"We are very close, but a small percentage can cost you the game. Most of these games were lost by one goal, so every detail in the modern game becomes absolutely vital," he added.

Former Ghana coach Otto Addo, who worked with FIFA's Technical Study Group during the tournament, also highlighted Morocco's approach as an example for other African nations to follow.

"Most African teams have the potential and the physicality to press higher, to be brave and to win the ball higher. Morocco showed that it is possible," Addo said.

"Morocco are a role model in that respect. It was impressive to see how they could dominate teams like Brazil, and I see other African teams with the same possibilities."

Addo also stressed the importance of persistence in attacking play, explaining that teams need players who repeatedly make forward runs and attack the penalty area, even when they do not immediately receive the ball.

Cape Verde coach Pedro Brito, better known as Bubista, pointed to preparation, discipline and clear objectives as key factors behind his team's historic World Cup campaign.

Cape Verde made an impressive debut at the 2026 tournament, becoming the smallest nation ever to reach the Round of 32.

"We prepared the group over a long period, and the discipline within the team gave us the capacity to reach the World Cup," Bubista said.

"From the beginning, we defined our objective: we wanted to move into the knockout stages. I told our leadership, 'I don't know how, but we are going to the knockout stage'."

Bubista believes African teams must set ambitious and clearly defined targets if they are to challenge consistently for the biggest prizes in international football.

"Something that is sometimes lacking in African football is clearly defined objectives for these competitions," he said. "Very few teams say clearly: 'We are going to reach the final' or 'we are going to reach the semi-finals'."

The next World Cup will take place in 2030, with Morocco, Portugal and Spain serving as the principal hosts. Matches will also be staged in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay as part of celebrations marking the tournament's centenary.