Four nations made debuts at the 2026 World Cup, with Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan gracing the grandest stage in international football for the first time. It was the tournament with the most newcomers since 2006 and Cape Verde achieved the feat of ending a 16-year wait for a debutant to reach the knockout stages, before succumbing to Lionel Messi's Argentina in a classic.
The Football Governing Body on the continent made a controversial decision to strip the West African nation of the crown in favour of the 2025 hosts. It is a move that is unprecedented, and the majority of the stakeholders have questioned the logic behind it two months after the final. The FSH have since vowed to appeal the decision to CAS.
The host nation wrapped up the group stages in style, thrashing Chipolopolo at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on Monday night. And, Mali secured their place in the Africa Cup of Nations knockout stage.
Mashujaa
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