Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation (Fecafoot), has declared that his ultimate ambition for the Indomitable Lions is to lift the FIFA World Cup – a goal he believes should now take precedence over winning the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Speaking during Fecafoot’s Extraordinary General Assembly on Thursday, Eto’o reflected on his four-year term, which is due to end later this year.
While he stopped short of confirming whether he will seek re-election, stating only that he would “announce [his] decision when it is made,” the former striker made clear that his long-term vision for Cameroon’s national team is aimed at football’s biggest prize.
“I no longer dream of winning an AFCON,” Eto’o said, noting that Cameroon’s five continental titles have already cemented the country’s place among Africa’s elite.
“The federation’s role is administrative. When we had full control of the national teams, we built young squads to dream of winning a World Cup.”
Cameroon’s dominance in African football is well established, with their five AFCON triumphs placing them second only to Egypt, who have lifted the trophy seven times.
For Eto’o, this success has removed much of the mystery around winning Africa’s premier competition, shifting his focus to achieving something no African nation has yet accomplished – becoming world champions.
The former Barcelona and Inter Milan forward also used the assembly to respond sharply to recent tensions with Marc Brys, Cameroon’s current head coach, over his access to the national team’s dressing room.
Eto’o did not shy away from delivering pointed remarks about Rigobert Song, his long-time friend, ex-teammate, and former Cameroon coach. The exchanges underscored the strong personalities and high expectations that continue to shape the country’s football leadership.
Cameroon’s history at the World Cup is storied but short of ultimate success. Their best performance remains the 1990 tournament in Italy, when they became the first African nation to reach the quarter-finals, famously defeating reigning champions Argentina in the opening match before narrowly losing 3-2 to England.
Since then, the Indomitable Lions have struggled to replicate that historic run. In their most recent appearance at Qatar 2022, they exited in the group stage despite securing a notable 1-0 win over Brazil in their final match. Yet optimism is growing ahead of the 2026 edition, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
With four qualifiers remaining, Marc Brys’s side currently tops their group and is on course to book their place at the finals without the need for play-offs.
Eto’o’s focus on building competitive squads through youth development is seen as central to Cameroon’s long-term prospects, with the aim of closing the gap between African teams and the world’s elite footballing nations.
For Eto’o, the vision is clear – Cameroon’s next great football milestone will not be another AFCON title but breaking new ground on the world stage.
If his ambition is realised, it would mark the greatest achievement in the country’s football history and one of the most significant moments in African sport.
🔴 Samuel Eto’o : « Nous sommes venus à la FECAFOOT pour écrire l’histoire. Au bout de 4 ans de présidence, je suis heureux de constater que nous avons tenu nos promesses […] Le mandat qui s’achève présente un bilan largement positif. Nous n’avons peut-être pas tout bien fait et… pic.twitter.com/1ZJoQs8oW0
— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) August 8, 2025
