In an interview with Foot Africa, French coach Denis Lavagne shared his insights on the current strengths of African football, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching. The former coach of the Indomitable Lions highlighted two teams he sees as the most consistent and competitive on the continent: Morocco and Senegal.
According to him, these two teams stand out not only for the quality of their squads but also for the consistency of their performances on the international stage. He believes they are now benchmarks in Africa and credible candidates for a historic run in the upcoming World Cup. In his remarks, he emphasized the potential of several African nations while stressing the current advantage of these two teams.
“Several African teams can aim for a place in the quarter-finals. The most consistent are Senegal and Morocco, who are currently the two best teams on the continent,” said the former coach of the Indomitable Lions. He added, “Other teams like Ivory Coast and Algeria also have interesting qualities. And there could be surprises, like Cape Verde. Even if not all can reach this stage, several African teams could make their mark in this World Cup.”
This statement comes at a time when African teams are looking to take a new step in international competitions. The continent has already shown significant progress, particularly with stronger performances in the World Cup finals and increased presence in knockout stages.
Morocco particularly shone in the last World Cup, reaching the semi-finals and becoming the first African nation in history to finish fourth in the tournament. This achievement marked a major turning point for African football and heightened expectations around the Atlas Lions for the upcoming challenges.
On the other hand, Senegal continues to establish itself as a continental reference, thanks to a talented and experienced generation capable of competing with the best nations in the world. Regularly present in the World Cup and performing well in the Africa Cup of Nations, Senegal has built a momentum of stability and ambition.
Other African teams are also under the watchful eye of observers. The Ivory Coast, reigning African champions, boasts a promising squad and a positive dynamic. Algeria, meanwhile, is looking to regain its performance level on the international stage after several cycles of rebuilding. Finally, Cape Verde is mentioned as a team capable of creating surprises, thanks to a disciplined collective that is constantly improving.
Through these comments, Denis Lavagne highlights a global evolution in African football, where several nations now seem capable of competing with the best teams in the world. The upcoming 2026 World Cup could thus provide further confirmation of this rise, with increasingly assertive ambitions from the African side.
