African countries' representation at the FIFA World Cup has grown over the years, with several nations etching their names into football history.

While only a handful of African teams have advanced deep into the tournament, their participation has brought unforgettable moments, legendary players, and rising expectations.

Here’s a look at the top 10 African countries with the most FIFA World Cup appearances and how they’ve performed up to the 2022 edition:

1. Cameroon

Appearances: 8

Cameroon leads the continent in World Cup appearances. Their golden moment came in 1990, when Roger Milla inspired them to a historic quarter-final run, making them the first African team to reach that stage. Despite mixed results since, they remain Africa’s most consistent World Cup participants.

2. Morocco

Appearances: 6

Morocco carved history in 1986 by becoming the first African nation to reach the Round of 16. They went one step further in 2022, reaching the semi-finals and becoming Africa’s first-ever World Cup semi-finalists—a groundbreaking achievement that raised the bar for the continent.

3. Nigeria

Appearances: 6

The Super Eagles are known for their flair and passionate fan base. Nigeria has reached the Round of 16 three times (1994, 1998, 2014), often impressing in the group stage but struggling to advance further. Their victories against European heavyweights have cemented their reputation as Africa’s perennial dark horses.

4. Tunisia

Appearances: 6

Tunisia was the first African country to win a World Cup match, beating Mexico in 1978. While they’ve never advanced past the group stage, the Carthage Eagles have remained a steady presence at the tournament.

5. Ghana

Appearances: 4

Ghana’s World Cup story is short but dramatic. They reached the Round of 16 in 2006 and the quarter-finals in 2010, narrowly missing out on a semi-final spot after Asamoah Gyan’s missed penalty against Uruguay. The Black Stars remain one of Africa’s strongest performers in limited appearances.

6. Algeria

Appearances: 4

Algeria shocked the world in 1982 by defeating West Germany. Their finest run came in 2014, when they pushed eventual champions Germany to extra time in the Round of 16, earning global respect for their spirited play.

7. Senegal

Appearances: 3

Senegal burst onto the scene in 2002, defeating defending champions France and reaching the quarter-finals in their debut. They returned in 2018 and 2022, with their current golden generation raising hopes for another deep run.

8. Côte d’Ivoire

Appearances: 3

Powered by stars like Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré, Côte d’Ivoire featured in three straight World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014). Despite their talent, they never advanced past the group stage due to consistently tough draws.

9. South Africa

Appearances: 3

South Africa made history in 2010 as the first African nation to host the World Cup. Though they didn’t progress beyond the group stage, their victory over France and the festive atmosphere they brought remain iconic.

10. Egypt

Appearances: 3

Despite being Africa’s most successful team at the continental level, Egypt has struggled on the World Cup stage. Their first appearance was in 1934, but they didn’t return until 1990, and then again in 2018 with Mohamed Salah leading the line.