The Leopards of DR Congo celebrate a historic 1-0 victory over Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off to secure the final African slot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This marks their first appearance in the tournament since 1974. Photo Credit: FIFA World Cup/Instagram
For the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup, ten African nations will be on the same pitch — well, not literally, but you get the idea
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first 48-team edition of the tournament, staged across three host nations — the United States, Mexico, and Canada — from 11 June to 19 July 2026. The increase in Africa’s representation is a direct result of FIFA’s decision to expand the tournament to 48 teams, raising Africa’s allocation from five to nine automatic spots. Nine of the ten African nations qualified by winning their respective CAF qualifying groups, which ran from November 2023 to October 2025 across nine groups of six teams each. DR Congo secured the tenth and final spot with a 1-0 extra-time win over Jamaica in the intercontinental play-offs, completing Africa’s full lineup for the expanded tournament.
Notable absentees include Nigeria and Cameroon, both of whom fell at the CAF play-off stage and will not be making the trip to North America. For the continent’s fans, that sting is real, but the ten nations who did make it have more than enough to carry African football’s hopes and ambitions into the summer. See the full list of African countries that qualified below.
Morocco
Morocco were the first African nation to seal their place at the 2026 World Cup, with a 5-0 thumping of Niger on 5 September in Rabat, finishing top of CAF Group G. The Atlas Lions arrive as the continent’s standard bearers, having made history at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar where they became the first African and Arab nation to reach a semi-final, defeating Spain and Portugal along the way. Key players include Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, and Youssef En-Nesyri. They have been drawn into Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti.
Senegal
The Lions of Teranga won seven and drew three of their ten qualifiers to finish top of CAF Group B, sealing qualification with an emphatic 4-0 win over Mauritania in front of a lively home crowd in Dakar. Sadio Mané scored two of the goals, with Iliman Ndiaye also on the scoresheet. Senegal were knocked out by England in the last 16 in 2022 and will be looking to go further this time, boasting a squad that includes Nicolas Jackson and Pape Matar Sarr alongside Mané. They face France, Norway, and Iraq in Group I.
Sadio Mané and Senegal national team celebrating 2026 World Cup qualification after win over Mauritania. Photo Credit: FIFA World Cup/Instagram
Egypt
Mohamed Salah scored twice as Egypt beat Djibouti 3-0 in October to seal qualification from CAF Group A with a game to spare, making up for their absence from the 2022 tournament. The 2026 edition is widely expected to be Salah’s last World Cup, and the Liverpool captain will be desperate to make it count. Egypt face Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand in Group G.
Egypt’s star forward Mohamed Salah leads the Pharaohs to the 2026 World Cup finals after topping Group A with a clinical 2-0 win over Ethiopia. Photo Credit: FIFA World Cup/Instagram
Algeria
Algeria’s qualification secured their place at the World Cup for the first time in 12 years, finishing top of their CAF group with Riyad Mahrez leading the charge. At their last appearance in 2014, they reached the last 16 where they pushed eventual champions Germany to the limit in extra time. They have been drawn into Group J alongside Argentina, Austria, and Jordan — a formidable group that will require everything they have.
Ghana
After failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, expectations were low for Ghana heading into World Cup qualifying, but they bounced back impressively to reach the finals for the fifth time since their debut in 2006. Mohammed Kudus scored the winner at home to Comoros to secure their qualification in October. Antoine Semenyo and Kudus will be Ghana’s key threats when they face England, Croatia, and Panama in Group L.
Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast have not been to a World Cup since 2014, but they made sure of their return by topping CAF Group F, taking 26 points from a possible 30 to pip Gabon and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s side. Manchester United’s Amad Diallo scored one and set up another as the Elephants beat Kenya 3-0 in their final qualifier in October. They face Germany, Ecuador, and Curaçao in Group E.
Cabo Verde
The Blue Sharks will make their World Cup debut in 2026 after topping CAF Group D with a 3-0 home win over Eswatini in October, leaving Cameroon in second place. Having only taken part in qualifying since 2002, Cape Verde will be the second-smallest nation by population to play at a men’s World Cup finals, after Iceland in 2018. Their story is one of the most remarkable of the entire qualification campaign and they face Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia in Group H.
The Blue Sharks of Cabo Verde celebrate a historic 1-0 win over Mauritius to qualify for their debut FIFA World Cup appearance in North America. Photo Credit: FIFA World Cup/Instagram
Tunisia
Tunisia will be back at the World Cup in 2026 after being eliminated at the group stage in 2022, though they did beat France 1-0 in that tournament. The Carthage Eagles have never progressed beyond the group stage across six World Cup appearances and will be determined to change that record when they face the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden in Group F.
South Africa
South Africa survived a three-point deduction for fielding an ineligible player — a 2-0 win over Lesotho was turned into a 3-0 forfeit — but still managed to top CAF Group C, beating Rwanda 3-0 at home to seal their place. Bafana Bafana’s return to the World Cup is a significant moment for South African football, and they open the tournament in a fitting way — facing Mexico in the first game of the entire tournament on 11 June in Mexico City, a replay of the 2010 World Cup opener when South Africa were the hosts. They are in Group A alongside Mexico, South Korea, and Czechia.
DR Congo
DR Congo secured their place as the tenth African country at the 2026 World Cup after defeating Jamaica 1-0 in extra time in the intercontinental play-offs, with Axel Tuanzebe scoring the decisive goal. The Leopards will participate in the World Cup finals for the first time in 52 years, since 1974. Their route to qualification was the longest and most dramatic of any African side — surviving the CAF play-offs against Nigeria and Cameroon before winning through the intercontinental play-offs in Mexico. They face Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan in Group K.
The Leopards of DR Congo celebrate a historic 1-0 victory over Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off to secure the final African slot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This marks their first appearance in the tournament since 1974. Photo Credit: Fedora Rdc/Instagram
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