Former France captain, Marcel Desailly, believes the expansion of the competition from 32 to 48 teams gives African countries an opportunity to reach the finals of the World Cup.
The defender made these remarks in Abidjan during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour presented by Coca-Cola, an event that has captured the imagination of football fans across the continent.
Speaking to the media, Marcel Desailly tipped Côte d’Ivoire as Africa’s most realistic contender to reach the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Remember statistically Morocco managed to reach the semi-final during the past World Cup. We are now hoping now that we are nine African teams in the system that one of them will reach the final so maybe Ivory Coast.
You don’t know even though I love Ghana to go to the final I believe that Ivorians have the potential to to reach you the final and the hope and the belief gives you know an excitement and to every single fan that loves the game because the game is absolutely magnificent.
Côte d’Ivoire aims to advance beyond the group stage for the first time, having fallen short in their previous three World Cup appearances in 2006, 2010, and 2014.
Meanwhile, Ghana will be looking to surpass their previous best of reaching the quarter-finals.
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Pius Asack
