Will FIFA World 2026 and preceding editions before 2038 rejuvenate Pele’s prediction ? The greatest footballer of all time Brazilian Pele in 1977 predicted that an African nation would win the World Cup before the year 2000. However, based on the following unfortunate demoralization historical events, the prediction did not materialize.
It started with DR Congo-Brazil game in 1974 World Cup. DR Congo’s player Mwepu Ilunga sprinted from the free kick wall and kicked the ball away, in protest for President Mobutu’s reluctance to pay the players their bonuses.
In 2014, Ghanaian players boycotted training and threatened to walk out of the tournament due to unpaid bonuses, prompting the government through the Ghana Football Association to fly in about Sh304 million in cash to the players. The Super Eagles of Nigeria too had a similar incident, which forced then President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene, assuring senior players that their bonuses would be paid.
And the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon failed to board the plane to Brazil due to money issues, but later did, arriving a day late in low morale. Based on those unfortunate event, I deduced Africa could have achieved Pele’s prediction given the good performance of footballers from Africa in the European leagues.
Personally I predict before 2038, the year the space for engraving winning teams at the bottom of the trophy would be exhausted. African team will engraved if the morale and motivation at 2026 FIFA World Cup not to mention ten slots allocated to Africa are maintained.