Key dates in the story of African football, from the first clubs to the continent's place in the expanded World Cup.

  • 1907 Al Ahly is founded in Cairo; Zamalek follows in 1911, the same year as Accra Hearts of Oak in Ghana.
  • 1920 Egypt become the first African nation at the Olympic football tournament, in Antwerp.
  • 1923 Egypt become the first African member of FIFA.
  • 1934 Egypt play at the World Cup in Italy, Africa's first appearance.
  • 1957 The Confederation of African Football is founded in Khartoum, and the first Africa Cup of Nations is played in Sudan, won by Egypt. AFCON history
  • 1960s Newly independent nations join CAF and FIFA; the African Cup of Champions Clubs starts in 1964.
  • 1970 Morocco reach the World Cup in Mexico and earn Africa's first point at the finals.
  • 1974 Zaire become the first sub-Saharan team at a World Cup.
  • 1978 Tunisia beat Mexico 3–1, the first African win at a World Cup.
  • 1982 Algeria beat West Germany 2–1 at the World Cup in Spain.
  • 1986 Morocco become the first African team to reach the World Cup knock-out stage.
  • 1990 Cameroon, inspired by Roger Milla, reach the World Cup quarter-finals.
  • 1995 Liberia's George Weah wins the Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year.
  • 1996 Nigeria win Olympic gold in Atlanta. Africa at the Olympics
  • 2000 Cameroon win Olympic gold in Sydney.
  • 2002 Senegal beat holders France in the World Cup opener and reach the quarter-finals.
  • 2009 Ghana win the FIFA U-20 World Cup, the first African champions at that level.
  • 2010 South Africa host Africa's first World Cup; Ghana reach the quarter-finals. The 2010 World Cup
  • 2011 South Sudan gains independence and soon joins CAF and FIFA.
  • 2019 AFCON expands to 24 teams and introduces VAR.
  • 2022 Morocco reach the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar, a first for Africa.
  • 2026 The World Cup expands to 48 teams, with nine direct places for Africa.
  • 2030 Morocco co-host the centenary World Cup with Spain and Portugal. 2030 explained

Explore the numbers behind these moments in our records and on the On This Day pages.