By Matthew Petersen
Cape Town – The 2022 World Cup has been a topic of controversy away from the pitch since football’s governing body, FIFA, awarded it to Qatar.
FIFA moved the World Cup from its original slot in June/July, after the football season has culminated, to a mid-season November/December slot to protect players from playing in sweltering temperatures. The move caused massive disruptions for football clubs around the world, who had already begun their 2022/2023 seasons.
On the pitch, the football has been nothing short of spectacular. The world’s biggest stars such as Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Virgil Van Dijk have been gracing the pitch, trying to lead their countries to world glory.
This World Cup has been particularly special for Africa.
Usually perennial underdogs on the world stage, the continent has grown its global pedigree and has produced many stars plying their trade for some of Europe’s biggest clubs such as Sadio Mane (Senegal and Bayern Munich) Mohammed Salah (Egypt and Liverpool) and Kalidou Koulibaly (Senegal and Chelsea).
Wins by African nations at #FIFAWorldCup tournaments (updated):
1978: 1 ??
1982: 2 ????
1986: 1 ??
1990: 3 ??????
1994: 2 ????
1998: 3 ??????
2002: 4 ????????
2006: 3 ??????
2010: 4 ????????
2014: 3 ??????
2018: 3 ??????
2022: 7 ??????????????— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) December 3, 2022
Performances have shown on the pitch too. According to the leading sports data site, OptaAnalyst, this World Cup has seen the most victories by African teams at World Cup, with seven in total, comfortably beating the previous record of four (at the 2002 and 2010 editions).
It marked the first time that all five participating nations have won a game at a World Cup.
Some of these victories include Morocco’s 2-0 victory over 2nd-ranked Belgium, Tunisia’s surprise 1-0 victory over defending champions France, and Cameroon’s 1-0 victory over football powerhouses Brazil.
Morocco topped their group and will face 2010 World Cup winners Spain for a place in the quarter-finals while Senegal face England as they hope to repeat the heroics of their 2002 counterparts and qualify for the quarter-finals for only the 2nd time in their history.
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