FIFA President Gianni Infantino has backed Africa to perform better at the next World Cup tournament in Qatar.

The five African representatives namely Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia and Senegal didn’t live up to the continent’s expectations at the ongoing FIFA World Cup tournament in Russia as they all crashed out in the first round (group stage).

Infantino was speaking in a chat with Piers Edwards of the BBC.

When asked about Africa’s early exit, the former UEFA General Secretary said: “Of course. The World Cup is for the whole world and the African teams were very, very close at the end.”

“An Asian (team) made it – an African not – but I think they will be ready soon for the next one.” The Italian-Swiss administrator added.

The performance of African teams in Russia was the worst recorded in 36 years.

The 1982 FIFA World Cup tournament in Spain was the last time an African nation failed to reach the knockout stage.