Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
A puzzling Tunisian puzzle.
Algerian football legend Rabah Majer assessed the chances of ten African teams, including the Arab Four, to participate in the 2026 World Cup.
The former player of the Algeria national team (86 international matches, 28 goals), the former star of “Porto” left his impressions about the possibilities of these teams in the World Championship, where for the first time 48 teams are included instead of 32.
Majer played at the World Cup in 1982 and 1986 and will be closely following teams from Algeria, Egypt, Senegal, Morocco, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Tunisia and South Africa based on his experience.
Algeria, who missed out on the 2018 and 2022 games, will be competing at the World Cup for the fifth time as part of a group that includes Argentina, Austria and Jordan, and will be hoping to at least achieve the same result they achieved in Brazil 2014, where they progressed beyond the first round.
A wish for Algeria…and big dreams for Morocco and Egypt
About Algeria, who will miss the 2018 and 2022 World Cup finals for the fifth time, Majer said:
He continued. “I think he has the potential to get out of the first round and make an outstanding contribution. I dream of seeing him in the quarter-finals.”
Also read: Controversial decision.. Why Bounedia left Algeria’s World Cup calculations?
Regarding the chances of Morocco (his group: Brazil, Haiti, Scotland), Majer said in his interview with the Africafoot website: “In 2022, Morocco was the biggest surprise of the tournament. It is a very strong team and will be under everyone’s eyes. It could make it out of a tough group that includes Brazil, with Scohland one of the most prominent candidates. Haiti, which will have nothing to lose.”
Majer said about Egypt. “Egypt has the necessary qualifications to qualify. It has a high level of players led by Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush. They haven’t won a World Cup match since 1934, but I think they can finish behind Belgium in the first round.”
Also read: A special night for Modric… Croatia lost at home to the rival of the Pharaohs.
The mystery of Tunisia…the strength of Senegal and the challenges of elephants
“Tunisia has never been able to get past the first round of the World Cup. The task against Holland, Sweden and Japan looks difficult. Tunisia is a good team but I don’t know why they always lack something simple to qualify. Is it psychological? I don’t know, but I can see that it has possibilities even from a difficult group.
“The Senegalese team, which is in a strong group that includes France, Norway and Iraq, faces a big challenge. France is a strong contender and Norway stood out in the qualifiers. But Senegal have a top-level team. He will need exceptional performances to qualify and put in a good run, and that may partly depend on that level.”
Also read: Al Hilal backtrack on Cancelo file… and possible Barcelona alternative
Read also: Milan’s rescue plan. Ibrahimovic’s playing card…and an upcoming date with Jaisle
Considering the Ivory Coast group, which after three unsuccessful attempts (2006, 2010 and 2014) dreams of getting out of the first round, the “Elephants” will face Germany, Ecuador and Curacao, he emphasized.
The Greens legend predicted that the Democratic Republic of Congo could qualify as a top three in a group that includes Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan, adding: “But after that, their transition will be difficult.”
After a coaching change in April, when Carlos Queiroz replaced Otto Adu, Ghana face a tough task against England, Croatia and Panama.
Majer was not optimistic about the path of those who used to be called “Brazil of Africa”, stressing: “This team has not convinced me in recent years. England and Croatia are at the highest level, and Panama is a stubborn team. Ghanaians have become less good than they were.’
As for Cape Verde, it will have its first experience at the World Cup, facing Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
Read also: UN-2026 or 2030: Morocco chooses the future at the expense of the moment
He said about him. “It will be a wonderful experience for Cape Verde. He will benefit from it when he learns without pressure. But to be honest, I expect his task to be very difficult because his three rivals are better than Spain.
As for South Africa, who will face Mexico, South Korea and the Czech Republic, he emphasized. “It seems to me that it is the weakest of its group.”
Majer concluded by predicting the title contenders. “The contenders for the World Cup title are France, Spain and Argentina, in addition to Portugal, Brazil and England, and I can’t forget Germany.”
