Which African countries have reached the World Cup quarterfinals, semifinals? CAF record at the World Cup

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African teams have developed into a powerful World Cup force since 1990, with changes in the qualification process offering a greater chance to showcase their talents on the game’s biggest stage.

The restructuring of routes to the competition, and the tournament itself from 1986, have boosted the chances of African nations progressing, with major strides completed in recent years.

From Egypt’s appearance at the 1938 World Cup in Italy, to Cameroon’s memorable quarterfinal run at Italia ’90, and on to impressive recent performances from Senegal and Ghana, perceptions are changing regarding African nations.

Qatar 2022 saw two African nations plotting a path through the knockout stages, with Morocco and Senegal both reaching the Round of 16. However, the latter suffered a 3-0 defeat to England meaning Africa’s hopes  rested on Morocco beating Spain.

After a dreadful 120 minutes of action where no goals where scored, Morocco saved their best til last as Spain missed all three penalties to send the African side into the quarterfinals where they’ll face Portugal.

MORE: World Cup bracket 2022: Live updated FIFA knockout stages and printable version for download

African teams in World Cup quarterfinals

Morocco’s run to the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals is their first knockout stage appearance since becoming the first African nation to do so back in 1986.

Cameroon famously reached the quarterfinals in 1990, with Senegal and Ghana matching the feat in 2002 and 2010.

Cameroon (1990)

Cameroon took Italia ’90 by storm as the Indomitable Lions topped Group B after beating defending champions Argentina in their opening game.

Veteran striker Roger Milla followed up his two group-stage goals — as he became the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history — with an extra-time brace in their Round of 16 win over Colombia.

Despite missing key players through suspension and injury in the last eight, Cameroon produced an iconic performance to take England to extra time in Naples, before Gary Lineker’s penalty eventually ended their World Cup journey.

Senegal (2002)

Senegal stunned defending champions France in the opening game of the 2002 World Cup, as Papa Bouba Diop’s goal sealed an incredible 1-0 win.

The victory had all the key ingredients of a major shock, with defending champions France’s fall from grace, coupled with Senegal’s debut on the World Cup stage, and they eventually made it out of Group A, after draws with Denmark and Uruguay.

Bruno Metsu’s side rode the wave into the Round of 16, as Henri Camara’s ‘Golden Goal’ saw them beat Sweden 2-1, before they bowed out to Turkey in the last eight.

Ghana (2010)

Asamoah Gyan’s two penalties secured four group-stage points for Ghana, against Serbia and Australia, as the World Cup was hosted by an African nation for the first time in South Africa.

Despite losing their final group game to Germany, the Black Stars squeezed into the Round of 16 on goal difference, to face the USA.

Gyan was again the hero, as his extra-time goal sealed a 2-1 win, and set up a date with Uruguay in the quarterfinals.

Their meeting in Johannesburg has gone on to become one of the most controversial World Cup matches in recent memory.

Luis Suarez’s deliberate handball saw him sent off in extra time, but in a bizarre twist, Gyan crashed the resulting spot-kick off the crossbar, as Ghana missed a golden opportunity to reach the semifinals.

Despite Gyan recovering to score from the spot in a penalty shootout, skipper John Mensah missed, and Uruguay progressed.

Their group-stage rematch in Qatar was painted as a revenge mission for the Black Stars, but despite Suarez’s Uruguay winning 2-0, both sides missed out a knockout place.

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Morocco (2022)

Morocco’s campaign got underway with a 0-0 draw against Croatia before they went onto record a stunning 2-0 win over No.2 ranked side Belgium. That put them firmly in the driving seat to reach the knockout stages. A 2-1 victory over Canada in their final game meant they qualified as winners of Group F to set up a Round of 16 meeting with Spain.

Few had Morocco down as favourites to progress any further but after a gruelling 120 minutes of action where both sides had chances to win it, the game headed to penalties. Goalkeeper Bono became the hero as he saved two of Spain’s penalties before Hakimi scored the decisive spot-kick with a panenka. 

Morocco will face Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in the quarterfinals after his side thrashed Switzerland.

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Has an African team made it to a World Cup semifinal?

A semifinal place has continued to evade African nations at the World Cup, with Ghana’s spot-kick loss to Uruguay in 2010 the closest they have come.

Could that change this year? Walid Regragui’s Morocco will certainly hope so.

Country Stage Reached Eliminated By Year
Cameroon Quarterfinal England 1990
Senegal Quarterfinal Turkey 2002
Ghana Quarterfinal Uruguay 2010

 

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