Discover the 10 African teams representing the continent at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with profiles of the qualified nations and key details.Africa has a record 10 teams competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup following the expansion of the tournament from 32 to 48 teams.
It is the first time in history that Africa has sent 10 teams to the World Cup, marking a significant milestone for the continent and underscoring its growing influence in global football.
The 48 teams have been drawn into 12 groups of four for the opening phase of the tournament, which is being hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Africa's representatives are Algeria, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia.
As FIFA rules prevent more than one African team from being placed in the same group, the continent's representatives have been spread across 10 different groups.
South Africa are in Group A, Morocco in Group C, Ivory Coast in Group E, Tunisia in Group F, Egypt in Group G, Cape Verde in Group H, Senegal in Group I, Algeria in Group J, DR Congo in Group K and Ghana in Group L.
The presence of 10 African teams is expected to boost the continent's visibility and influence in world football while inspiring a new generation of players and fans.
Even in the absence of traditional heavyweights such as Nigeria and Cameroon, the appearance of countries like Cape Verde at the tournament is testament to the depth of talent across Africa.
The continent continues to produce players capable of competing at the highest level in elite leagues such as the English Premier League and La Liga.
Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals in 2022 remains Africa's greatest achievement on football's biggest stage.
With a record 10 teams in the competition, the continent will be hoping to leave another lasting mark on the global game and perhaps even challenge for the coveted title.
Below are profiles of the 10 African teams competing at the World Cup.
SOUTH AFRICA
After missing out on the previous three World Cups, South Africa are back on football's biggest stage for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010.
Bafana Bafana qualified for their fourth World Cup by finishing top of Group C in the CAF qualifiers with five wins, three draws and two defeats.
The team is coached by Belgian tactician Hugo Broos, who has been in charge since May 2021 after the country narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.
South Africa have featured at four World Cups — 1998, 2002, 2010 and 2026.
Their best performances came in 1998, 2002 and 2010, when they exited at the group stage.
Overall, they have played nine World Cup matches, winning two, drawing four and losing three.
They have scored 11 goals and conceded 16.
South Africa open their campaign against co-hosts Mexico at Mexico City Stadium on Thursday, June 11, before facing Czechia at Atlanta Stadium on June 18 and Korea Republic at Estadio Monterrey on June 24.
MOROCCO
Morocco are set to appear at their third consecutive FIFA World Cup in 2026 and were the first African side to secure qualification.
The Atlas Lions are Africa's most successful World Cup team after rewriting history by reaching the semi-finals in Qatar in 2022.
The 2026 edition will mark Morocco's seventh appearance at the global showpiece after they finished top of their CAF qualifying group.
Coached by Mohamed Ouahbi, the Atlas Lions will be eager to prove that their historic fourth-place finish in 2022 was no fluke.
Morocco will begin their campaign against Brazil on June 13 at New Jersey Stadium in New York before taking on Scotland on June 19 at Boston Stadium and Haiti on June 24 at Atlanta Stadium.
Their previous World Cup appearances came in 1970, 1986, 1994, 1998, 2018 and 2022.
Their best performance remains the semi-final finish in 2022. The 2030 World Cup co-hosts have played 23 World Cup matches, winning five, drawing 11 and losing seven.
They have scored 20 goals and conceded 27.
IVORY COAST
Ivory Coast return to World Cup action after a 12-year absence since the 2014 tournament in Brazil, where they narrowly missed out on a place in the round of 16.
The Elephants are making their fourth appearance at the global showpiece.
Emerse Fae's side qualified as unbeaten group winners and did not concede a goal throughout their 10 qualifying matches.
Their previous World Cup appearances came in 2006, 2010 and 2014. Their best performance remains reaching the group stage in each of those editions.
Overall, Ivory Coast have played nine World Cup matches, winning three, drawing one and losing five. They have scored 13 goals and conceded 14.
They will face Ecuador on June 14 at Philadelphia Stadium, Germany on June 20 at Toronto Stadium and Curaçao on June 24 at Philadelphia Stadium.
TUNISIA
Like their North African neighbours, Tunisia are preparing for their seventh FIFA World Cup and third consecutive appearance.
The Eagles of Carthage have never advanced beyond the group stage. Coached by Sabri Lamouchi, Tunisia dominated their CAF qualifying group, collecting 28 of a possible 30 points while keeping a clean sheet in all 10 matches.
Their World Cup appearances came in 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022 and 2026.
Overall, they have played 18 matches, winning three, drawing five and losing 10. They have scored 14 goals and conceded 26.
Tunisia begin their campaign against Sweden on June 14 at Estadio Monterrey before facing Japan on June 20 at the same venue and the Netherlands on June 25 at Kansas City Stadium.
EGYPT
Egypt is preparing for a fourth World Cup appearance as the Pharaohs seek their first victory at the tournament.
They qualified after an impressive campaign, emerging unbeaten from their group thanks largely to a disciplined defence.
Premier League star Mohamed Salah leads a squad that blends experience and youth, with Omar Marmoush, Trezeguet and Mostafa Mohamed among the key players.
Coached by former Egypt international Hossam Hassan, the Pharaohs will open against Belgium on June 15 at Seattle Stadium before meeting New Zealand on June 21 at BC Place in Vancouver and Iran on June 26 back in Seattle.
Egypt secured qualification by finishing top of Group A in the CAF qualifiers. Their previous World Cup appearances came in 1934, 1990 and 2018.
They have played seven World Cup matches, drawing two and losing five. They have scored five goals and conceded 12.
CAPE VERDE
Cape Verde have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history. There were encouraging signs in previous campaigns.
During the qualification process for Qatar 2022, they pushed Nigeria all the way before a 1-1 draw in Lagos ended their hopes. For a nation of roughly half a million people, qualification for the World Cup is a remarkable achievement.
The country's maiden appearance reflects the strength of a football culture that unites both the island nation and its extensive diaspora. Cape Verde only gained independence in 1975.
Consistency and a competitive mindset were key to their successful CAF qualifying campaign. The team is coached by Pedro Leitao Brito, popularly known as Bubista.
Cape Verde begin against Spain on June 14 at Atlanta Stadium before taking on Uruguay on June 21 at Miami Stadium and Saudi Arabia on June 26 at Houston Stadium.
SENEGAL
Senegal is headed to a third consecutive World Cup, with their best performance coming in 2002 when they reached the quarter-finals.
The Lions of Teranga were recently crowned African champions before CAF stripped them of the title on grounds that they abandoned the final match against hosts Morocco. The decision is under appeal.
Coached by Pape Thiaw, Senegal will face France on June 16 at New York New Jersey Stadium, Norway on June 22 at the same venue and Iraq on June 26 at Toronto Stadium.
Their 26-man squad features experienced stars, including Idrissa Gueye, Kalidou Koulibaly, Sadio Mane and Edouard Mendy. Premier League players Habib Diarra, El Hadji Malick Diouf, Ismaila Sarr, Mamadou Sarr, Pape Matar Sarr and Iliman Ndiaye have also been included.
Senegal completed their qualifying campaign unbeaten, topping Group B and scoring 22 goals. Their World Cup appearances came in 2002, 2018, 2022 and 2026.
Their best performance remains the quarter-final run in 2002. Overall, they have played 12 World Cup matches, winning five, drawing three and losing four.
They have scored 16 goals and conceded 17.
ALGERIA
Algeria are returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2014. This will be Les Fennecs' fifth appearance at football's biggest tournament. Vladimir Petkovic's side will be looking to surpass their best-ever finish and make a deeper run in the competition.
Their previous World Cup appearances came in 1982, 1986, 2010 and 2014. Their best performance was reaching the round of 16 in 2014.
Overall, Algeria have played 13 World Cup matches, winning three and losing seven while scoring 13 goals and conceding 19.
They open their campaign against Argentina on June 16 at Kansas City Stadium before facing Jordan on June 22 at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium and Austria on June 27 at Kansas City Stadium.
DR CONGO
DR Congo secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through the play-offs, ending a lengthy wait that dates back to their only previous appearance in 1974.
The Leopards, coached by Sebastien Desabre, had narrowly missed out on qualification for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
Drawn in Group B of the qualifiers, DR Congo came close to overtaking Senegal for automatic qualification. Despite leading 2-0 in the decisive match in Kinshasa, Bakambu and his teammates eventually suffered a 3-2 defeat.
The Congolese then advanced through the play-offs, defeating Cameroon 1-0 in the semi-finals before beating Nigeria 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
At their only previous World Cup appearance in 1974, they were eliminated in the group stage, losing all three matches and conceding 14 goals without scoring.
They will face Portugal on June 17 at Houston Stadium, Colombia on June 23 at Guadalajara Stadium and Uzbekistan on June 27 at Atlanta Stadium.
GHANA
Ghana have qualified for the World Cup for the second successive tournament and will be aiming to replicate their best-ever performance from South Africa 2010, when they reached the quarter-finals.
The Black Stars enjoyed a dominant qualifying campaign, winning eight and losing only one of their 10 matches to top Group I.
They will be making their fifth appearance at the World Cup after failing to progress beyond the group stage in Brazil 2014 and Qatar 2022.
Under coach Carlos Queiroz, Ghana will face Panama on June 17 at Toronto Stadium, England on June 23 at Boston Stadium and Croatia on June 27 at Philadelphia Stadium.
The squad includes captain Jordan Ayew, Abdul Fatawu, Antoine Semenyo, Kamaldeen Sulemana and Inaki Williams.
Ghana's previous World Cup appearances came in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022.Overall, they have played 15 World Cup matches, winning five, drawing three and losing seven. They have scored 18 goals and conceded 23.
