List of 10 African Countries that Have Qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Africa is on the verge of writing unprecedented history at the 2026 World Cup after ten nations qualified to participate in the expanded world event.

This comes after FIFA expanded the number of teams to participate in the world event to 48.

Ten teams were selected after an intensive qualification process involving the CAF World Cup Qualifiers and playoffs.

Last ticket was won dramatically by the Democratic Republic of Congo after they won narrowly in extra time against Jamaica.

This is a major turning point for African football, with the continent sending the largest number of teams to the world event, which will be co-hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico.

10 African Countries That Have Qualified for World Cup

The ten countries qualifying from the African continent to the 2026 tournament are:

• Morocco
• Senegal
• Egypt
• Ghana
• Algeria
• Tunisia
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Cape Verde
• South Africa
• Democratic Republic of Congo.

DR Congo’s qualification was a historic achievement, especially after they defeated their opponents 1-0 in extra time with a goal by the team’s defender, Axel Tuanzebe.

This achievement ended the 52-year wait since the last time they participated in the World Cup finals in 1974.

Also Read: Kenya Meets CAF Requirements to Host AFCON 2027

Group Stage Matchups Revealed

The draw has placed African teams in challenging groups against some of football’s traditional powerhouses.

Morocco will face Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti, while Senegal takes on France, Norway, and Iraq. Egypt has been drawn alongside Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand.

Ghana is set for a tough contest against England and Croatia, while Algeria will meet Argentina and Austria.

Tunisia’s group includes the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden, while Côte d’Ivoire faces Germany and Ecuador. South Africa will battle hosts Mexico, South Korea, and Czechia.

DR Congo has been grouped with Portugal and Colombia, while Cape Verde, making its tournament debut, will compete against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia.

Legacy and Track Records

Going into the tournament, the African teams are aware of the legacy they need to uphold, including the records they need to improve on.

Morocco is the team to watch in Africa, considering they were the only team from the continent to make it to the semifinals in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, beating several European heavyweights in the process.

Senegal continues to improve on the legacy it created in the first tournament in 2002, when they made a stunning entrance, beating France in the process, to reach the quarterfinals.

Egypt, which has the longest history in the tournament, dating back to 1934 when it became the first team from Africa to qualify, has yet to win a match in the tournament.

Ghana’s near-semifinal run in 2010 is one of the most memorable moments in the tournament from the perspective of an African team, while Algeria has shown Africa’s ability to compete with the best in the tournament, particularly in the 2014 edition.

Also Read: DRC Qualifies for 2026 World Cup After 52-Year Absence

Emerging Forces and Underdog Stories

Cape Verde is one of the new forces in African football, and their qualification for the 2026 World Cup represents a historic first, highlighting the growing standard in smaller footballing nations on the continent.

South Africa returns to international competition with a sense of pride and memory from hosting the 2010 World Cup, a tournament that proved Africa has what it takes to host a successful international tournament.

DR Congo returns to international competition with a sense of history, looking to change its World Cup record after a tough debut in 1974 under its former name, Zaire.

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DR Congo players celebrate during a past Africa Cup of Nations match in 2025. PHOTO/CAF