10 Stats On Africa’s World Cup History

The is finally here. Five teams will be representing Africa at the tournament, and we’ll be following them every step of the way, bringing you all the stats and numbers. Senegal, Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco and Tunisia will be looking to become the first African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals. The quarter-finals have proved to be the ultimate hurdle for us often, with three teams reaching that stage – it happened once in the 90s (Cameroon 90), once in the 2000s (Senegal 2002) and once in the 2010s (Ghana 2010). Will we start the 2020s in the same vein? Here are 10 stats on the history of African teams at the World Cup.

Unique Representatives

13 – 13 different African teams have been to the World Cup finals, with all five current representatives appearing at least twice.

Most Appearances By A Team

8 – Cameroon are attending their 8th tournament finals, the most of all African teams and as many as Portugal. Only 21 countries have been to more finals.

Most Appearances By A Player

4 – Samuel Eto’o (1998, 2002, 2010, 2014) & Rigobert Song (1994, 1998, 2002, 2010) have appeared in four finals, the most of all African players. The World record is five – Germany’s Lotthar Matthaus, and Mexicans Antonio Carbajal and Rafael Márquez.

Most Matches By A Team

26 – Cameroon have played more matches at the World Cup than any other side (26), and will reach at least 29 by the end of Qatar.

Favourite Continent To Face

44% – African teams have won 44% of matches against North American sides (CONCACAF), their best win rate against any confederation.

1 – Only one Group game will be against CONCACAF teams in the Group stages of the World Cup.

Least Favourite Continent To Face

11% – African teams have won 11% of matches against South American sides (CONMENBOL), their worst win rate against any confederation.

Most Mommon Opponent

8 – Cameroon v Brazil will be the 8th time an African team faces Brazil at the World Cup finals, the most common opponent against African teams.

100% – Brazil has won every single game against African opposition (7/7), doing so by an aggregate scoreline of 20 goals to 2 between 1974 and 2014.

Top Scorers

6 – No African player has scored more goals at the World Cup finals than Asamoah Gyan (3).