Do poor nations play better football? Some say all you need is a ball and somewhere to kick it, but others argue rich countries still dominate the beautiful game.
Roaring Senegal lions are Africa's best hope
Do poor nations play better football? Some say all you need is a ball and somewhere to kick it, but others argue rich countries still dominate the beautiful game.
People tell Kalidou Koulibaly he could have been a world champion. He was born in France but chose to play for SenegalA country in west Africa with a population of 17 million. . "I want to write the story of the future of Senegal football."
Yesterday afternoon, Koulibaly began writing that story. His goal against Ecuador took Senegal to a 2-1 victory in their final match of the group stage.
An African country has never won the World Cup. But Senegal are now "one of the favourites", according to former French champion Frank Leboeuf.
They have already beaten the odds. The West African country is the poorest nation playing in QatarA small country on the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia. Like its larger neighbour, it has experienced rapid economic development but maintained strict conservative religious codes.. The country ranks 170 out of 191 in terms of health, education and income.1
But has Senegal risen to football greatness despite or because of poverty?
As the most westerly point in Africa, Senegal was a key location for the Atlantic slave trade. Just off the coast lies Goree island. Here, some historians say thousands of enslaved Africans passed through a "door of no return" to be sent to the Americas.2
In the 19th Century, Senegal became a French colonyAn area or country under the control of another nation. . French is the official language, but the Senegalese also speak over 30 other languages, including Wolof.
Senegal is a stable and democratic country and is known as the Land of Teranga - "good hospitality" in Wolof. It attracts almost half a million tourists yearly.
But 75% of families live in chronic poverty.3 Most depend on fishing and farming and are vulnerable to climate change. In the north, desertificationThe process through which fertile land is lost to drought or human activity. turns farmland into dust. A tree-planting project called the Great Green Wall plans to stop the desert's growth.
In football, money is not everything. For years, poorer Latin American teams have beaten richer European nations. Senegalese journalist Wahany Sambou says this "tough background" teaches footballers to try harder. So perhaps Africa will be next?
<h5 class=" eplus-wrapper" id="question"><strong>Do poor nations play better football?</strong></h5>
Yes: The beautiful game does not need fancy stadiums. It is played in poor backstreets and dusty scrubland all over the world. There, footballers develop the skill and passion to win.
No: Street skills only take you so far. In the last four world cups, teams from Western Europe won ten out of the top twelve places.
Or... Money matters but so do other factors. Senegal benefits from homegrown talent and stars trained abroad.
Senegal - A country in west Africa with a population of 17 million.
Qatar - A small country on the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia. Like its larger neighbour, it has experienced rapid economic development but maintained strict conservative religious codes.
Colony - An area or country under the control of another nation.
Desertification - The process through which fertile land is lost to drought or human activity.
Roaring Senegal lions are Africa’s best hope

Glossary
Senegal - A country in west Africa with a population of 17 million.
Qatar - A small country on the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia. Like its larger neighbour, it has experienced rapid economic development but maintained strict conservative religious codes.
Colony - An area or country under the control of another nation.
Desertification - The process through which fertile land is lost to drought or human activity.