Former French international Marcel Desailly is confident that the African nation to reach the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations champions.
Desailly believes the expansion of the competition from 32 to 48 teams gives African countries an opportunity to reach the finals of the continental showpiece.
He made these remarks in Abidjan during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour presented by Coca-Cola, an event that has captured the imagination of football fans across the continent.
Speaking to the media, the former Chelsea defender tipped Côte d’Ivoire as Africa’s most realistic contender to reach the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
"Remember statistically Morocco managed to reach the semi-final during the past World Cup. We are now hoping now that we are nine African teams in the system that one of them will reach the final so maybe Ivory Coast." Desailly said.
"You don’t know even though I love Ghana to go to the final I believe that Ivorians have the potential to reach the final and the hope and the belief gives you know an excitement and to every single fan that loves the game because the game is absolutely magnificent."
Côte d’Ivoire are hoping to secure a first-ever qualification from the group stages of the World Cup after failing to achieve it at the 2006, 2010 and 2014.
Meanwhile, the Black Stars aims to reach the semis of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after making a historic quarter-final reach in South Africa during the 2010 edition.
Desailly was born to Ghanaian parents in Accra before relocating to France with his mother and step-dad at age four. He opted to play for France and he played over 100 games for Les Bleus and helped them to clinch their maiden World Cup title in 1998.
