For decades, the World Cup was a tournament in which Asia and Africa hoped to cause an occasional upset. While Africa has taken good note of its football potential this summer, Asia could feel disappointed at the end of the group stage of the competition. A record nine of the 10 qualified African teams have reached the knockout rounds of the expanded tournament, but only two from Asia have advanced to the round of 32.
Jordan coach Jamal Sellami, whose team suffered three defeats in as many group matches, shed light on Asia’s collective disappointment at this World Cup, saying Asia «needs more players to play at that high level» to have a chance of doing well in global competitions.
«Our players are young and we have to take advantage of the experience we had here and make sure we do better at such a higher level of competition,» Sellami said after the team’s 3-1 defeat to Argentina. «Look how the African teams have done. Nine out of 10 African teams playing in this World Cup have qualified for the next round. Unfortunately, it is not the same for Asia. To play at the highest level, we need more players who can play at that high level.»
Japanese coach Hajime Moriyasu acknowledges the underperformance of the Asian teams, but wants his team to become “the hope” for Asian football.
Moriyasu’s Japan secured their place in the round of 32 after a 1-1 draw with Sweden to finish second in Group F behind the Netherlands. The Samurai Blue now face five-time champions Brazil, with not only their own ambitions but, in the eyes of their coach, those of an entire continent.
Japanese coach Hajime Moriyasu wants his team to become “the hope” for Asian football. | Photo credit: REUTERS
Japanese coach Hajime Moriyasu wants his team to become “the hope” for Asian football. | Photo credit: REUTERS
“We represent Japan, but we are proud to represent Japan in the world,” Moriyasu said. “And of course we now represent Asia.”
His comments came days after viral footage showed Chinese football fans in Shanghai celebrating Japan’s 4-0 victory over Tunisia, putting aside decades of political rivalry to cheer on the success of one of the Asian countries.
“I know other Asian teams are not as successful,” Moriyasu said. “I would like us to be able to cheer on other Asian teams as well, and we would like to be their hope.”
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Africa has now enjoyed its best joint World Cup. Nine teams have advanced to the round of 32, surpassing the continent’s previous record, when only two countries reached the round of 16 in both 2014 and 2022.
Among them, Cape Verde was one of the biggest revelations of the tournament. In its first World Cup, the island nation held Spain to a goalless draw, frustrated Uruguay and earned a knockout place with fearless performances.
«We have become an example that small countries can also have big goals, provided they have focus, determination and organizational work. We have shown that nothing is impossible. We have represented our country, but we also represent Africa and small countries around the world,» said head coach Pedro Leitao Brito ‘Bubista’ after securing the knockout qualification.
He and his team are now looking forward to taking on the world champions in the round of 16. “We are proud to play against Argentina,” he said. «This is a country with which we have had long ties. But above all, it is our will to do things with our identity, regardless of who the opponent is. We will play our game with attitude and responsibility, knowing that Argentina has some of the best players in the world, plus Messi, who some say is the best of all time.»
Morocco has insisted its participation in the semi-finals in Qatar was not a one-off, while Senegal recovered from losses to Norway and France to advance. Egypt finished second in Group G with a win and two draws, while Ivory Coast responded to a narrow defeat to Germany with wins over Curacao and Ecuador, while Algeria and Senegal also progressed as the sixth and eighth best third-placed teams. South Africa’s qualification came after a surprise victory over South Korea, one of three record Asian teams to reach the round of 16 in Qatar.
South Korea, the only Asian team to ever reach the World Cup semi-finals, paid the price for fielding a severely weakened side without captain Son Heung-min in its final group match against the Africans.
In his first World Cup, Cape Verde held Spain to a goalless draw, frustrated Uruguay and earned a knockout place with fearless performances. | Photo credit: AP
In his first World Cup, Cape Verde held Spain to a goalless draw, frustrated Uruguay and earned a knockout place with fearless performances. | Photo credit: AP
Japan has re-established itself as the continent’s standard-bearer, while Australia has also advanced to the knockout rounds. Saudi Arabia performed disciplinedly against higher-ranked opponents but failed to advance, while Qatar, Iran, Iraq and World Cup debutants Jordan and Uzbekistan have also withdrawn.
The 2026 World Cup has proven that the gap between the established football powers and the rest of the world is closing. The nine African teams, and the two representing Asia, hope to continue the series much further into the competition.
Published on June 28, 2026
