Africa is set for its largest-ever representation at a FIFA World Cup, with nine nations confirmed for the expanded 2026 tournament, and one additional team still in contention via an intercontinental playoff.
The nine countries that have officially booked their places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are:
South Africa
Egypt
Ghana
Algeria
Senegal
Morocco
Tunisia
Cape Verde
Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire)
The 2026 edition, to be hosted jointly by Canada, the United States, and Mexico, will feature an expanded 48-team format, offering Africa nine automatic qualification slots a historic first. A 10th African nation could still join the tournament via the intercontinental playoff route, with Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo, and Gabon vying for that final spot.
Notable Highlights:
Cape Verde’s qualification is a landmark moment for the island nation, marking their first-ever appearance at a FIFA World Cup and signaling the growing depth of African football.
Morocco, who captivated the world by reaching the semi-finals in Qatar 2022, the first African nation to do so, will return with expectations of another deep run.
Traditional powerhouses like Senegal, Egypt, Ghana, and Algeria will look to make strong impressions, while Tunisia and Ivory Coast round out a formidable North and West African contingent.
Africa’s increased representation is widely seen as a major step forward, with many observers hopeful that the continent can make a significant impact in 2026. With the likes of Victor Osimhen (Nigeria), Mohamed Salah (Egypt), Achraf Hakimi (Morocco), and Sadio Mané (Senegal) likely to feature, the tournament promises to showcase African talent at its finest.
The final intercontinental playoff matches are expected to take place in early 2026, with FIFA set to confirm dates and opponents.
