The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw has set challenging first-round matches for African teams, with fixtures against top-ranked nations including Belgium, France, Spain, Argentina, and Portugal. The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, begins on June 11, 2026.
According to the official draw conducted on April 1, 2026, in Miami, African representatives face a tough path. Morocco, a semifinalist in 2022, will play Portugal in Group F. Senegal meets France in Group D, while Cameroon faces Brazil in Group G. Ghana takes on Spain in Group E, and Tunisia confronts Argentina in Group C.
Other African teams include Nigeria, drawn against Belgium in Group B, and Egypt, which faces Italy in Group A. The expanded 48-team tournament features nine African nations, the highest number in World Cup history.
Matches will be played across 16 venues in North America, with the final scheduled for July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. African teams aim to improve on Morocco's historic run to the semifinals in 2022.
