Have an African country ever won the World Cup? This is the question on many people’s lips as Morocco continue to shine at the World Cup.
The Atlas Lions have been superb in Qatar, recording a 2-0 win over Belgium in Group F before defeating Spain 3-0 on penalties in the Round of 16.
So, in light of Morocco’s success, have an African country ever won the World Cup? Let’s take a look…
Have an African country ever won the World Cup?
As things stand, no African country has ever won the World Cup.
Only four African nations have ever reached the quarter-finals, with Morocco joining Ghana, Senegal and Cameroon in reaching this stage of the tournament.
Morocco have now made history to become the first ever African nation to reach a World-Cup semi-final, after today’s stunning 1-0 win over Portugal.
When South Africa won the bid to host the World Cup in 2010, Ghana came within touching distance of making African football history by becoming the first African country to reach the World Cup semi-final.
Asamoah Gyan famously had the chance to put Ghana in the 2010 semi-finals with a 120th minute penalty against Uruguay, after Luis Suarez punched the ball off the line to keep the scoreline at 1-1.
However, Gyan smashed his effort against the crossbar, and Uruguay went on to win 4-2 in the shootout.
Other notable accomplishments from African nations at the World Cup include Nigeria progressing from the Group Stage on three occasions.
However, it is Ghana and Morocco who are carrying the torch for Africa on the world stage, as far as recent history goes.
Countries that have won the World Cup
1930: Uruguay
1934: Italy
1938: Italy
1942: N/A
1946: N/A
1950: Uruguay
1954: West Germany
1958: Brazil
1962: Brazil
1966: England
1970: Brazil
1974: West Germany
1978: Argentina
1982: Italy
1986: Argentina
1990: West Germany
1994: Brazil
1998: France
2002: Brazil
2006: Italy
2010: Spain
2014: Germany
2018: France
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