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PICTURED: Fifa president Gianni Infantino

FIFA PRESIDENT Gianni Infantino has expressed his disappointment that Africa failed to secure a place in the 2018 World Cup knock-out stages.

All five African teams - Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia exited this year's competition in the group stages.

Infantino told BBC Sport: "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."

There were high hopes for both Nigeria and Senegal to make it into their final games but the Super Eagles missed out after conceding a late goal to Argentina while the Teranga Lions lost narrowly to Colombia.

Africa was the only continent represented at the finals that didn't make the Round of 16. It is the first time it has failed to reach the second round since 1982 when Cameroon went unbeaten and Algeria was denied progress.

Infantino said: "We count on fair play always - for everyone. As (for) the rules, you always learn. You always have a debrief after and see what you can do better."

He continued: "So far, [it’s] a great World Cup with incredible games, a lot of passion and a lot of people celebrating. The matches are crazy, crazy, crazy, so let's hope it continues like that."

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