Africa's football awakening at the Fifa World Cup

This year, a record-breaking nine African teams advanced to the knockout rounds, including South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Senegal, who were eliminated in the newly introduced Round of 32 after fiercely contested matches. This achievement signals a major breakthrough, establishing Africa as an emerging power in world football. The continent's representatives are demonstrating tactical discipline and confidence, suggesting they are now competing on equal terms with traditional footballing powers.

This development indicates a crack in the sport's old hierarchy and the awakening of a new footballing superpower.