For the first time in World Cup history, Africa will be represented by 10 teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026. This is a result of the tournament's expansion from 32 to 48 teams, increasing Africa's allocation from five to nine slots, plus an intercontinental playoff spot that was secured by a CAF team.
The qualified African teams include Morocco, Senegal, Tunisia, Algeria, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, Egypt, Ivory Coast, and South Africa. Morocco, which made history by reaching the semifinals in 2022, is seen as a strong contender to advance deep into the knockout stages again.
African teams have traditionally struggled in the World Cup, with only three quarterfinal appearances before 2022 (Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010). However, Morocco's run to the semifinals in Qatar changed perceptions and raised expectations for the continent's performance in 2026.
The expanded format means more African teams will have the opportunity to compete on the global stage, and the continent's football federations have invested heavily in youth development and infrastructure to capitalize on this chance. The draw for the group stage is scheduled for December 2025.
