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Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has commended African teams for their remarkable performances at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, saying their exploits have brought pride and renewed confidence to the continent.
In a post on her verified X account, the former Nigerian Minister of Finance praised Morocco and Egypt for securing places in the knockout stage of the competition, describing their progress as a testament to Africa’s growing strength in world football.
She also singled out Cape Verde for special recognition, noting that the island nation emerged as one of the tournament’s surprise packages despite its elimination.
Okonjo-Iweala equally applauded the efforts of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana for their resilience and competitive displays throughout the tournament.
“So proud of the performance of the African teams at the World Cup! Morocco and Egypt have made it through so far, but Cape Verde was a standout. DRC, Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana also battled. Thanks to all for making us proud. Keeping fingers crossed on further progress,” she wrote.
The WTO chief further expressed optimism that Nigeria’s Super Eagles would soon return to football’s biggest stage, voicing hope that the three-time African champions would qualify for the next FIFA World Cup after missing out on the current edition.
Her remarks come amid widespread praise for African teams, whose performances have continued to challenge established football powers and reinforce the continent’s rising profile on the global stage.
The MeridianSpy reports that football enthusiasts across Africa have also taken to social media to celebrate the achievements of the continent’s representatives, expressing optimism that their impressive showing will inspire greater investment in football development and encourage more African nations to compete strongly at future FIFA World Cup tournaments.
