The former African Footballer of the Year believes the expanded format offers the continent a stronger platform to make a meaningful impact on the global stage.

With Africa’s representation almost doubling at the 2026 showpiece in the United States, Mexico and Canada, Bwalya says there is fresh hope of surprise results and deeper runs into the knockout stages. South Africa (SA) are among the African qualifiers, alongside Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Ivory Coast and Ghana.

Bwalya reflected on how limited African participation was during his playing days. “Of course, we always stand a better chance now,” he said. “When we used to play, there were two African teams in the 1980s, then three in the 1990s. Now we have had five since the early 2000s, and the difference is that we are exposed to top teams from all over the world.”

He cautioned that qualification alone does not guarantee success, noting that African teams still face difficult group stage assignments. “Sometimes the draw looks favourable, and sometimes it looks unfavourable,” Bwalya said. “Often African teams are grouped with one European team, possibly a South American team, and then an Asian or CONCACAF side.”

With SA drawn alongside hosts Mexico and South Korea, and awaiting a final opponent from Europe, Bwalya hopes Hugo Broos’ side can rise to the challenge. “I hope Bafana will be up to the task when they play Mexico and South Korea, and possibly Denmark,” he said.

Bwalya believes results against European opposition could prove decisive. “You need a favourable result against a European team, preferably a draw, and then you have to take maximum points against the other teams,” he added. “The South American teams are always very strong.”