Africa has a massive talent pool and football culture that could rival any continent in the world. So, why is it that when it comes to the World Cup, Africa has often found itself on the sidelines and under-represented.
Why is Africa under-represented in the FIFA World Cup places allocation? In this episode of The African Narratives Podcast, Africa Web TV’s creative director, Femi Soewu dives into the political, economic, and sporting reasons behind Africa’s struggles, and also discusses how Africa can begin to address this under-representation moving forward.
Currently, Africa is allotted just five spots in the World Cup. To put this in perspective, the continent of Africa has 54 countries, which makes it the second most populous continent in the world, with over 1.4 billion people. Yet, it receives only five spots out of 32 (currently 48 for 2026). This is a disproportionately low number given the talent, passion, and depth of football culture across Africa.
Why Are African Teams Under-Represented?
Historical bias and political interests often play a significant role in how spots are distributed.
FIFA’s Eurocentric Bias:
Historically, the World Cup has been dominated by European and South American teams. These regions have long had the economic resources, infrastructure, and professional leagues necessary to develop world-class players. The European football system, in particular, has been ingrained in the global sport for over a century, while South American nations like Brazil and Argentina have long been powerhouses of footballing talent. FIFA’s decisions on allocation tend to reflect this historical dominance.
FIFA’s allocation of spots has often seemed Eurocentric, as the continent enjoys a significant influence in the decision-making process. The voting power of European nations in FIFA elections cannot be understated, with their strength often influencing the distribution of spots at the World Cup. As a result, while Europe has historically received more spots, Africa has been left with only five, despite a growing competitive scene and consistently impressive performances.
How FIFA Can Address This Disparity?
1. A More Equitable Allocation System:
FIFA must re-evaluate its allocation system to ensure fairness. With the expansion to 48 teams, there is an opportunity to increase Africa’s representation from 5 to at least 9 or 10 spots—reflecting the continent’s population, passion for the game, and consistent growth in footballing quality. Such an increase would allow more African teams to compete and would also help address concerns about the lack of African representation in the tournament’s later stages.
A more equitable system would acknowledge the continent’s growing competitiveness, something we’ve seen with the success of African clubs in continental tournaments and the increasing success of individual players in top European leagues.
2. Support for African Football Infrastructure:
To truly level the playing field, there needs to be a concerted effort to invest in football infrastructure across Africa. While the World Cup’s expanded format can give more teams a chance to qualify, the real challenge lies in sustaining competitive levels of football year-round. Africa needs increased investment in domestic leagues, training facilities, and youth development programs.
3. Collaboration Among African Nations: Leveraging Influence in FIFA Elections:
The importance of collaboration among African countries goes far beyond just on-field tactics or playing together in continental tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). African nations have often struggled to exert the kind of influence that regions like Europe and South America have at FIFA’s highest levels, particularly when it comes to elections for FIFA president and the distribution of World Cup spots.
Why is this collaboration so vital?
FIFA’s leadership elections are often determined by voting blocs, which means that the political power of one region can be significantly boosted when countries come together and vote as a unified block. In the case of African nations, this could be a powerful tool to ensure that Africa’s voice is heard and its needs are addressed.
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