African nations have made significant strides in FIFA World Cup history, with several records and milestones. Cameroon became the first African team to reach the World Cup quarterfinals in 1990, defeating Colombia in the Round of 16. Senegal matched this feat in 2002 by reaching the quarterfinals, and Ghana did so in 2010, coming within a penalty kick of the semifinals.
As of 2026, no African team has advanced beyond the quarterfinals. Morocco came closest in 2022, reaching the semifinals in Qatar, becoming the first African and Arab nation to do so. They finished fourth after losing to Croatia in the third-place match.
Individual records include Cameroon's Roger Milla, who at 42 years and 39 days became the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history in 1994. Nigeria's Rashidi Yekini scored the country's first World Cup goal in 1994. Asamoah Gyan of Ghana is the top African scorer in World Cup history with 6 goals.
African teams have also set records for hosting: South Africa hosted the first World Cup on the continent in 2010. Morocco has bid multiple times but has not yet hosted the tournament.
