Motsepe hails Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt and Cape Verde after impressive World Cup 2026 starts

CAF President Patrice Motsepe has praised the performances of Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt and Cape Verde after all three African nations made strong openings to their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaigns.

Speaking after their opening matches, Motsepe said the continent could take pride in the early results, describing the teams’ displays as a reflection of Africa’s growing competitiveness on football’s biggest stage.

“We are proud of the efforts by Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt and Cape Verde at the FIFA World Cup 2026 during their opening matches,” he said.

In one of the standout results, Côte d’Ivoire edged Ecuador 1–0, delivering a disciplined performance to secure all three points in their opener. The result immediately boosted their chances in a challenging group.

Elsewhere, Egypt held European powerhouse Belgium to a 1–1 draw in a tightly contested encounter, earning a valuable point against one of the tournament favourites. Their defensive organisation and resilience proved crucial in frustrating their opponents.

There was also a notable result for Cape Verde, who produced one of the tournament’s early shocks by holding Spain to a goalless draw. The result underlined their tactical discipline and ability to compete against elite opposition.

Looking ahead in the tournament phase of the FIFA World Cup 2026, the African sides now face crucial second-round fixtures that could shape their progression hopes.

Côte d’Ivoire are set for a stern test against Germany, while Egypt will meet New Zealand in their next group outing. Cape Verde, meanwhile, face a demanding clash with Uruguay.

With momentum already building after their opening results, attention now turns to whether the African representatives can maintain their strong start and push deeper into the tournament.