Ethiopian president taye atske selassie

Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie: FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that at least nine African teams will compete in the 2026 World Cup that will take place in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Infantino made the remarks when the 46th Confederation of African Football (CAF) Ordinary General Assembly opened on Tuesday in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, bringing together leaders and delegates of member associations from across Africa.

"In World Cup 2026, there will be nine or ten African countries (and regions) participating in the World Cup," said Infantino on Tuesday, noting that the increase is to be made in line with FIFA's expanded World Cup format.

Infantino urged African countries to further invest in and unleash the potential of the continent's young football players. "I encourage all of you to continue investing in youth football because those kids, those girls and boys, will be the stars of tomorrow," he said.