Who will be the best African team at the World Cup?

World Cup Betting

There are five African teams at the 2018 World Cup, but will any of them qualify for the last sixteen of the tournament?

We’ve enjoyed the performances of certain African players throughout the last domestic season including the Egyptian Mohamed Salah who was voted the Premier League Player of the Year after some scintillating displays for Liverpool.

Sadio Mane has also been part of that team’s success and he will represent Senegal in Russia, while we will also see Nigeria, Morocco and Tunisia make an appearance at the 2018 World Cup.

Bookmaker William Hill have created a Top African Team betting market and it could be a simple case of selecting a country that will make the last sixteen.

World Cup 2018 Outright Winner Odds*

  • Brazil 4/1
  • Germany 9/2
  • Spain 6/1
  • France 11/2
  • Argentina 9/1
  • Belgium 11/1
  • England 16/1
  • Portugal 25/1
  • Uruguay 28/1
  • Croatia 28/1
  • Colombia 40/1
  • Russia 40/1
  • Poland 66/1
  • Denmark 100/1
  • Mexico 100/1
  • Switzerland 100/1
  • Bar 200/1

* (betting odds were taken from William Hill on June 6th, 2018 at 3:34 a.m.)

Senegal, Egypt and Nigeria are all vying for favouritism, so let’s look at their group opponents and weigh up their chances.

EGYPT catch the eye in a weak-looking Group A, with the Pharaohs meeting Uruguay in their opener although they then have Russia and Saudi Arabia who are the lowest-ranked teams in the tournament. Egypt are 15/8 odds* (betting odds were taken on June 6th, 2018 at 3:34 a.m.) to qualify from their group.

Much rests on the shoulders of Mo Salah although the Egyptians will be confident that they can make the last sixteen of the competition and their talisman has been absolutely phenomenal for Liverpool.

SENEGAL are a similar price to qualify for the last sixteen of the World Cup and Group H looks to be the most open of the competition, with Poland, Colombia and Japan all clashing with the African side.

Much depends on whether the Senegalese players can get a positive result against the Poles in their opening match before an easier-looking clash against Japan before meeting the Colombians. Senegal are 4/11 odds* (betting odds were taken on June 6th, 2018 at 3:34 a.m.) to get out of Group H.

Top Africa Team Odds*

  • Senegal 9/4
  • Egypt 5/2
  • Nigeria 11/4
  • Morocco 7/1
  • Tunisia 9/1

* (betting odds were taken from William Hill on June 6th, 2018 at 3:34 a.m.)

NIGERIA might be a similar price to be the top African team although the truth is that the Super Eagles have been dealt a very tough hand, with two tough European contenders along with Argentina.

It might not be a forlorn hope to qualify from this group, with the Nigerians opening with a clash against a Croatian team who blew hot and cold in qualifying and actually finished runner-up behind Iceland.

The Icelanders are getting used to major tournament appearances after a bright showing at Euro 2016 and will be difficult to beat, while Argentina might have defensive issues but they are extremely strong in attack.

What about TUNISIA and MOROCCO? We are happy enough to put a line through the Tunisians on the basis that Belgium look like very strong contenders and England should really have too much to allow them a sniff of second place, even if the Three Lions are prone to wobbling at a major tournament.

Morocco are a more interesting beast at 7/1 odds with William Hill* (betting odds were taken on June 6th, 2018 at 3:34 a.m.) and this is a side who are excellent from a defensive point-of-view which could well be a problem for Portugal.