Unusual moments in the World Cup, by Azu Ishiekwene

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, currently in its knockout stages, has been notable not just for its scale but also for a series of unusual moments. Beyond remarkable fan antics, underdog triumphs, emotional scenes, and controversial decisions, the tournament has also highlighted complex social and political undercurrents.

For instance, the performance of South Africa's team, Bafana Bafana, was a source of pride, marking their best performance since 2002 and surpassing their 2010 World Cup record. However, this achievement was significantly marred by the lingering impact of recent xenophobic attacks within South Africa. Instead of widespread continental celebration, the team's progress evoked resentment from some Africans.

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South Africa are out of the World Cup, they can now rush home to protect their jobs.

Fans from other African nations expressed a desire to see Bafana Bafana eliminated quickly, viewing their success as a form of "recompense" for the attacks on immigrants from other African countries. Social media posts and commentary revealed this sentiment, with some Nigerians, in particular, seeming to revel in this schadenfreude, despite Nigeria not qualifying for the tournament themselves.

In contrast, the sentiment towards Iran's national team, Team Melli, was different, demonstrating the enduring value of soft power. Despite facing significant difficulties and uncertainty surrounding their participation due to the U.S.-Israel conflict, Iran remained undefeated in the group stages. Their resilience captured global attention, and their elimination, narrowly missing a top-third place finish, garnered widespread empathy.

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Africa is happy.