Even though FIFA has increased the number of guaranteed World Cup spots for CAF to nine, teams on the African continent undoubtedly have the toughest route to the global showpiece. Here's why!
Check Out: OPINION: Messi Angry? He Totally Contradicted Himself!
The next FIFA World Cup will be special for many reasons. It will be the first time the competition is held across three different nations (Mexico, Canada and the United States of America) and the first time the tournament returns to north America since 1994, but arguably the most special is because it will be expanded to a grandiose 48-team contest.
With the 16-team increase, sport's biggest spectacle becomes an even larger event and gives African nations a better opportunity at finally lifting what has so far been an elusive trophy for the continent. Why an Africa nation has not won the global showpiece may be because of a significant deficiency in a multitude of football development structures, but perhaps the most pertinent reason is the lack of representation.
CAF has, to date, been a minority when it comes to this specific competition. Egypt was the first-ever African nation to qualify to the World Cup back in 1934, but since post-World War 2 football, Africa did not have a representative at the tournament until 1970. During that time, African countries tried to qualify for it but were denied one single guaranteed spot as they were condemned to competing for a qualification spot first by battling in Africa, before then having to go through an arduous inter-continental play-off competition. It took former Ghanaian president Kwame Nkrumah, alongside the Ethiopian government, boycotting the 1966 edition for FIFA to feel the need to hand Africa a certified spot at the tournament.
But how does it make any sense for a continent with 54 different nations to compete for one spot in what is supposed to be an inclusive tournament? FIFA would gradually increase the number of countries whom are CAF-affiliated and could automatically qualify for the contest, and after 1998, that number was capped at five. This is ridiculous because how on earth is the continent with the most nations only supposed to compete for five spots?
For this reason alone, CAF qualification is the hardest. Now, it perhaps may not exude the same quality on the pitch that a CONMEBOL or UEFA side might, but teams from Africa have to contend with a lot of forces beyond football. Bad pitches, dubious refereeing, intimidation tactics from host nations, insane distances that need to be travelled, all on top of the competitive football that's being played.
Check Out: Bellingham, The New King Of Madrid
To a certain extent, it still feels like Africa is being under-represented with nine nations when the World Cup goes to north America, but then I look at the massive drop-off in quality of squads when you look at teams outside the top 13 nations on the continent, and then it seems fair. It will still be a difficult task for any country with aspirations of going to compete with the rest of the world, though!
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
WATCH VIDEO:
