With record representation, African teams at the 2026 World Cup are making history. The tournament features a new format that expands from 32 to 48 teams. The 10 qualified African teams double the number fielded in World Cups since 1998.
As African teams at the World Cup 2026 aim to amplify this milestone and become the continent’s first champions, Morocco’s fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup illustrates this possibility. Sportpesa will deliver every real-time update as these 10 top teams carry Africa’s hopes to the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Track the African World Cup 2026 teams’ latest news, live scores, matches, fixtures, and standings on Sportpesa.
FIFA World Cup 2026 overview
The FIFA World Cup 2026 is contested in 11 cities in the USA, 2 in Canada, and 3 in Mexico. This World Finals involves 104 matches, forty more than in previous World Cups. The opening game will be played on June 11 in Mexico’s Estadio Azteca. The final will be held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New York, USA. The tournament features forty-eight teams split into twelve groups.
ALSO READ: FIFA World Cup 2026
African teams at the World Cup 2026
The table below lists African representatives at the 2026 World Cup, along with their nicknames.
| Country | Nickname |
| South Africa | Bafana Bafana |
| Ghana | The Black Stars |
| Morocco | The Atlas Lions |
| Senegal | The Lions of Teranga |
| Ivory Coast | The Elephants |
| Algeria | Les Fennecs |
| Tunisia | The Carthage Eagles |
| Cape Verde | The Blue Sharks |
| Egypt | The Pharaohs |
| DR Congo | The Leopards |
Cape Verde’s achievement adds to this impressive list. ALSO READ: Cape Verde seals historic World Cup qualification.
African teams’ qualification for the World Cup 2026
First, the fifty-four members of the Confederation of African Football were drawn into nine groups. Round robin matches, then reduced the number to nine group winners. Following this, nine countries –Senegal, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Algeria, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Cape Verde and South Africa secured direct entry into the World Cup. The four best group runners-up then participated in play-offs to decide who would advance to the inter-confederation play-offs. Congo defeated Jamaica 1-0 to finalise the list of African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.
African teams World Cup 2026 groups
Announced on December 5, 2025, the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw separated teams from the same confederation to ensure geographic balance. Below is a table listing the African teams and their groups for the 2026 World Cup.
| Group | Nation |
| Group A | South Africa |
| Group C | Morocco |
| Group E | Ivory Coast |
| Group F | Tunisia |
| Group G | Egypt |
| Group H | Cape Verde |
| Group I | Senegal |
| Group J | Algeria |
| Group K | DR Congo |
| Group L | Ghana |
For more information: FIFA World Cup 2026: Preview, teams, groups, fixtures, venues, how to watch and kick-off times.
African teams’ World Cup 2026 fixtures
The World Cup 2026 African qualifiers will each contest three group-stage matches. They will then advance to the round of 32, progress to the round of 16, battle in the quarterfinals, compete in the semifinals, and vie for the title in the finals. The table below presents the fixtures for the African teams that qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
| Country | Fixture | Date | Time | Venue |
| South Africa | Mexico vs South Africa | 11 June | 9:00 PM | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| South Africa | Czechia vs South Africa | 18 June | 6:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| South Africa | South Africa vs South Korea | 25 June | 3:00 AM | Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe |
| Morocco | Brazil vs Morocco | 14 June | 12:00 AM | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| Morocco | Scotland vs Morocco | 20 June | 12:00 AM | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough |
| Morocco | Morocco vs Haiti | 25 June | 12:00 AM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| Ivory Coast | Ivory Coast vs Ecuador | 15 June | 1:00 AM | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| Ivory Coast | Germany vs Ivory Coast | 20 June | 10:00 PM | BMO Field, Toronto |
| Ivory Coast | Curaçao vs Ivory Coast | 25 June | 10:00 PM | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| Tunisia | Sweden vs Tunisia | 15 June | 4:00 AM | Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe |
| Tunisia | Tunisia vs Japan | 21 June | 6:00 AM | Estadio BBVA, Guadalupe |
| Tunisia | Tunisia vs the Netherlands | 26 June | 1:00 AM | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| Egypt | Belgium vs Egypt | 15 June | 9:00 PM | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| Egypt | New Zealand vs Egypt | 22 June | 3:00 AM | BC Place, Vancouver |
| Egypt | Egypt vs Iran | 27 June | 5:00 AM | Lumen Field, Seattle |
| Cape Verde | Spain vs Cape Verde | 15 June | 6:00 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| Cape Verde | Uruguay vs Cape Verde | 22 June | 12:00 AM | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens |
| Cape Verde | Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia | 27 June | 2:00 AM | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| Senegal | France vs Senegal | 16 June | 9:00 PM | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| Senegal | Norway vs Senegal | 23 June | 2:00 AM | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford |
| Senegal | Senegal vs Iraq | 26 June | 9:00 PM | BMO Field, Toronto |
| Algeria | Argentina vs Algeria | 17 June | 3:00 AM | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| Algeria | Jordan vs Algeria | 23 June | 5:00 AM | Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara |
| Algeria | Algeria vs Austria | 28 June | 4:00 AM | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
| DR Congo | Portugal vs DR Congo | 17 June | 7:00 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| DR Congo | Colombia vs DR Congo | 24 June | 4:00 AM | Estadio Akron, Zapopan |
| DR Congo | DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | 28 June | 1:30 AM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| Ghana | Ghana vs Panama | 18 June | 1:00 AM | BMO Field, Toronto |
| Ghana | England vs Ghana | 23 June | 10:00 PM | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough |
| Ghana | Croatia vs Ghana | 27 June | 11:00 PM | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
African teams’ World Cup 2026 squads
The best African teams at the 2026 World Cup excelled because of their squads. Many African talents filled their country’s player lists. The tables below showcase players from African teams in the 2026 World Cup.
Morocco 2026 World Cup squad
Moroccan players for the 2026 World Cup were announced on May 26, 2026, by head coach Mohamed Ouahbi. Watch for Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz and Fulham’s Issa Diop. Paris Saint-Germain’s right back Achraf Hakimi leads the squad as captain for the second consecutive major tournament. Examine Morocco’s World Cup 2026 prospects via the squad list below.
| Player | Position |
| Yassine Bounou | Goalkeeper |
| Munir El Kajoui | Goalkeeper |
| Ahmed Reda Tagnaouti | Goalkeeper |
| Achraf Hakimi | Right Back and Captain |
| Noussair Mazraoui | Full Back |
| Nayef Aguerd | Centre Back |
| Chadi Riad | Centre Back |
| Issa Diop | Centre Back |
| Anass Salah-Eddine | Left Back |
| Zakaria El Ouahdi | Right Back |
| Youssef Belammari | Left Back |
| Redouane Halhal | Centre Back |
| Sofyan Amrabat | Defensive Midfielder |
| Azzedine Ounahi | Central Midfielder |
| Bilal El Khannouss | Attacking Midfielder |
| Ismael Saibari | Attacking Midfielder |
| Neil El Aynaoui | Central Midfielder |
| Ayyoub Bouaddi | Central Midfielder |
| Samir El Mourabet | Central Midfielder |
| Brahim Díaz | Attacking Midfielder or Winger |
| Ayoub El Kaabi | Striker |
| Abdessamad Ezzalzouli (Abde) | Left Winger |
| Soufiane Rahimi | Forward |
| Chemsdine Talbi | Right Winger |
| Gessime Yassine | Winger |
| Ayoube Amaimouni | Forward |
Senegal World Cup 2026 squad
Coach Pape Thiaw unveiled the Lions of Teranga’s 26-man World Finals roster on June 2, 2026. Kalidou Koulibaly captains the Senegal World Cup 2026 squad, which also features all-time goal scorer Sadio Mané and promising Generation Foot graduate Ismaïla Sarr. Explore the full squad in the table below.
| Player | Position |
| Édouard Mendy | Goalkeeper |
| Mory Diaw | Goalkeeper |
| Yehvann Diouf | Goalkeeper |
| Kalidou Koulibaly | Centre Back and Captain |
| Moussa Niakhaté | Centre Back |
| Ismail Jakobs | Left Back |
| Abdoulaye Seck | Centre Back |
| Antoine Mendy | Right Back |
| El Hadji Malick Diouf | Left Back |
| Mamadou Sarr | Centre Back |
| Krépin Diatta | Right Back / Winger |
| Idrissa Gana Gueye | Defensive Midfielder |
| Pape Gueye | Central Midfielder |
| Habib Diarra | Central Midfielder |
| Pape Matar Sarr | Central Midfielder |
| Lamine Camara | Central Midfielder |
| Pathé Ciss | Defensive Midfielder |
| Bara Sapoko Ndiaye | Central Midfielder |
| Sadio Mané | Left Winger |
| Ismaïla Sarr | Right Winger |
| Iliman Ndiaye | Attacking Midfielder / Forward |
| Nicolas Jackson | Striker |
| Assane Diao | Winger |
| Ibrahim Mbaye | Winger |
| Bamba Dieng | Striker |
| Chérif Ndiaye | Striker |
Ivory Coast 2026 World Cup squad
Head coach Emerse Faé revealed the Ivory Coast World Cup 2026 team on May 15, 2026, captained by Franck Kessié. The Elephants’ roster boasts Guela Doué, Manchester United’s Amad Diallo and RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande. Browse the roster below.
| Player | Position |
| Yahia Fofana | Goalkeeper |
| Mohamed Koné | Goalkeeper |
| Alban Lafont | Goalkeeper |
| Emmanuel Agbadou | Defender |
| Ousmane Diomande | Defender |
| Guela Doué | Defender |
| Ghislain Konan | Defender |
| Odilon Kossounou | Defender |
| Evan Ndicka | Defender |
| Wilfried Singo | Defender |
| Clément Akpa | Defender |
| Franck Kessié | Midfielder and Team Captain |
| Ibrahim Sangaré | Midfielder |
| Seko Fofana | Midfielder |
| Parfait Guiagon | Midfielder |
| Christ Inao Oulaï | Midfielder |
| Jean-Michaël Seri | Midfielder |
| Amad Diallo | Forward |
| Simon Adingra | Forward |
| Nicolas Pépé | Forward |
| Ange-Yoan Bonny | Forward |
| Oumar Diakité | Forward |
| Yan Diomande | Forward |
| Evann Guessand | Forward |
| Bazoumana Touré | Forward |
| Elye Wahi | Forward |
Algeria World Cup 2026 squad
Vladimir Petković named Algeria’s official FIFA World Cup 2026 squad on May 31, 2026. Al-Ahli winger Riyad Mahrez leads Les Fennecs as captain. He teams up with Granada’s Luca Zidane and Bayer Leverkusen’s Ibrahim Maza. Read on for the whole squad.
| Player | Position |
| Luca Zidane | Goalkeeper |
| Oussama Benbot | Goalkeeper |
| Melvin Mastil | Goalkeeper |
| Aïssa Mandi | Defender |
| Ramy Bensebaïni | Defender |
| Rayan Aït-Nouri | Defender |
| Rafik Belghali | Defender |
| Samir Chergui | Defender |
| Jaouen Hadjam | Defender |
| Zineddine Belaïd | Defender |
| Achref Abada | Defender |
| Mohamed Amine Tougaï | Defender |
| Nabil Bentaleb | Midfielder |
| Hicham Boudaoui | Midfielder |
| Houssem Aouar | Midfielder |
| Farès Chaïbi | Midfielder |
| Ibrahim Maza | Midfielder |
| Yacine Titraoui | Midfielder |
| Ramiz Zerrouki | Midfielder |
| Riyad Mahrez | Forward and team Captain |
| Mohamed Amoura | Forward |
| Amine Gouiri | Forward |
| Anis Hadj Moussa | Forward |
| Adil Boulbina | Forward |
| Nadhir Benbouali | Forward |
| Farès Ghedjemis | Forward |
Egypt World Cup 2026 players
Head coach Hossam Hassan selected the final Egypt squad for the 2026 World Cup on May 30, 2026. Former Liverpool player Mohamed Salah captains Al Pharai’nah. Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush and Mahmoud ‘Trezeguet’ Hassan are projected to join Egypt’s starting lineup for World Cup 2026 fixtures. Other players include:
| Player | Position |
| Mohamed El Shenawy | Goalkeeper |
| Mostafa Shobeir | Goalkeeper |
| Mohamed Alaa | Goalkeeper |
| Ahmed El Shenawy | Goalkeeper |
| Mohamed Hany | Defender |
| Ahmed Fatouh | Defender |
| Karim Hafez | Defender |
| Rami Rabia | Defender |
| Yasser Ibrahim | Defender |
| Mohamed Abdelmonem | Defender |
| Hossam Abdelmagid | Defender |
| Tarek Alaa | Defender |
| Hamdi Fathy | Defender/Midfielder |
| Marwan Attia | Midfielder |
| Emam Ashour | Midfielder |
| Nabil Emad Dunga | Midfielder |
| Mohanad Lasheen | Midfielder |
| Mahmoud Saber | Midfielder |
| Ahmed Sayed “Zizo” | Midfielder/Forward |
| Mahmoud Trezeguet | Forward |
| Mohamed Salah | Forward and Captain |
| Omar Marmoush | Forward |
| Mostafa Mohamed | Forward |
| Ibrahim Adel | Forward |
| Haissem Hassan | Forward |
| Hamza Abdelkarim | Forward |
| Osama Faisal | Forward |
Tunisia World Cup squad
Head coach Sabri Lamouch officially announced Tunisia’s 26-man World Cup 2026 squad on May 15, 2026. Ellyes Skhir serves as captain of Tunisia’s World Finals team, as detailed below.
| Player | Position |
| Aymen Dahmen | Goalkeeper |
| Sabri Ben Hassen | Goalkeeper |
| Mouhib Chamakh | Goalkeeper |
| Montassar Talbi | Defender |
| Dylan Bronn | Defender |
| Ali Abdi | Defender |
| Yan Valery | Defender |
| Mohamed Amine Ben Hamida | Defender |
| Moutaz Neffati | Defender |
| Omar Rekik | Defender |
| Adem Arous | Defender |
| Raed Chikhaoui | Defender |
| Ellyes Skhiri | Midfielder and Captain |
| Hannibal Mejbri | Midfielder |
| Anis Ben Slimane | Midfielder |
| Mortadha Ben Ouanes | Midfielder |
| Ismaël Gharbi | Midfielder |
| Hadj Mahmoud | Midfielder |
| Rani Khedira | Midfielder |
| Elias Achouri | Forward |
| Firas Chaouat | Forward |
| Hazem Mastouri | Forward |
| Elias Saad | Forward |
| Sebastian Tounekti | Forward |
| Khalil Ayari | Forward |
| Rayan Elloumi | Forward |
Ghana World Cup 2026 Squad
Manager Carlos Queiroz announced Ghana’s 26-player squad for the World finals on June 1, 2026. Jordan Ayew leads the Black Stars as captain. With England looming in Ghana’s World Cup 2026 group, the nation must depend on its squad’s strength to advance. The table below details the roster.
| Player | Position |
| Lawrence Ati-Zigi | Goalkeeper |
| Joseph Wollacott | Goalkeeper |
| Richard Ofori | Goalkeeper |
| Daniel Amartey | Defender |
| Alexander Djiku | Defender |
| Mohammed Salisu | Defender |
| Alidu Seidu | Defender |
| Tariq Lamptey | Defender |
| Gideon Mensah | Defender |
| Denis Odoi | Defender |
| Jonas Adjetey | Defender |
| Thomas Partey | Midfielder |
| Mohammed Kudus | Midfielder |
| Iddrisu Baba | Midfielder |
| Elisha Owusu | Midfielder |
| Abdul Fatawu Issahaku | Midfielder |
| Andre Ayew | Midfielder and Forward |
| Jordan Ayew | Forward and Captain |
| Inaki Williams | Forward |
| Antoine Semenyo | Forward |
| Kamaldeen Sulemana | Forward |
| Osman Bukari | Forward |
| Felix Afena-Gyan | Forward |
South Africa squad
Head coach Hugo Broos announced the South African roster for the 2026 World Cup on May 27 2026. Goalkeeper Ronwen Williams captains the Bafana Bafana. The rest of the team is listed in the table below.
| Player | Position |
| Ronwen Williams | Goalkeeper and Captain |
| Ricardo Goss | Goalkeeper |
| Sipho Chaine | Goalkeeper |
| Khuliso Mudau | Defender |
| Aubrey Modiba | Defender |
| Khulumani Ndamane | Defender |
| Olwethu Makhanya | Defender |
| Bradley Cross | Defender |
| Thabang Matuludi | Defender |
| Nkosinathi Sibisi | Defender |
| Kamogelo Sebelebele | Defender |
| Ime Okon | Defender |
| Samukele Kabini | Defender |
| Mbekezeli Mbokazi | Defender |
| Teboho Mokoena | Midfielder |
| Jayden Adams | Midfielder |
| Thalente Mbatha | Midfielder |
| Sphephelo Sithole | Midfielder |
| Oswin Appollis | Forward |
| Tshepang Moremi | Forward |
| Evidence Makgopa | Forward |
| Relebohile Mofokeng | Forward |
| Lyle Foster | Forward |
| Iqraam Rayners | Forward |
Cabo Verde squad for the 2026 World Cup
Cabo Verde head coach Bubista revealed the 26-player roster for the World Finals on May 18, 2026. The Blue Sharks squad features captain Ryan Mandes, Villareal player Logan Costa, and seasoned goalkeeper Vozinha. Read the rest of the team below.
| Player | Position |
| Vozinha | Goalkeeper |
| Marcio Rosa | Goalkeeper |
| CJ dos Santos | Goalkeeper |
| Steven Moreira | Defender |
| Wagner Pina | Defender |
| João Paulo Fernandes | Defender |
| Sidny Lopes Cabral | Defender |
| Logan Costa | Defender |
| Roberto Lopes | Defender |
| Kelvin Pires | Defender |
| Ianique Tavares | Defender |
| Edilson Borges | Defender |
| Jamiro Monteiro | Midfielder |
| Telmo Arcanjo | Midfielder |
| Yannick Semedo | Midfielder |
| Laros Duarte | Midfielder |
| Deroy Duarte | Midfielder |
| Kevin Pina | Midfielder |
| Ryan Mendes | Forward and Squad Captain. |
| Willy Semedo | Forward |
| Garry Rodrigues | Forward |
| Jovane Cabral | Forward |
| Nuno da Costa | Forward |
| Dailon Livramento | Forward |
| Gilson Benchimol | Forward |
| Hélio Varela | Forward |
DR Congo squad for World Cup 2026
Head coach Sébastien Desabre announced the DR Congo World Cup team on May 18, 2026, captained by Chancel Mbemba. The table below details the roster.
| Player | Position |
| Lionel Mpasi | Goalkeeper |
| Matthieu Epolo | Goalkeeper |
| Timothy Fayulu | Goalkeeper |
| Chancel Mbemba | Defender and Team Captain |
| Aaron Wan-Bissaka | Defender |
| Axel Tuanzebe | Defender |
| Arthur Masuaku | Defender |
| Joris Kayembe | Defender |
| Gédéon Kalulu | Defender |
| Steve Kapuadi | Defender |
| Dylan Batubinsika | Defender |
| Rocky Bushiri | Defender |
| Noah Sadiki | Midfielder |
| Samuel Moutoussamy | Midfielder |
| Edo Kayembe | Midfielder |
| Charles Pickel | Midfielder |
| Théo Bongonda | Midfielder |
| Gaël Kakuta | Midfielder |
| Brian Cipenga | Midfielder |
| Ngal’ayel Mukau | Midfielder |
| Nathanaël Mbuku | Midfielder |
| Yoane Wissa | Forward |
| Cédric Bakambu | Forward |
| Simon Banza | Forward |
| Fiston Mayele | Forward |
| Meschack Elia | Forward |
For comprehensive predictions on African teams at the World Cup 2026, visit Sportpesa.
Where to get the African teams’ World Cup 2026 updates
Watch African countries compete in the World Cup 2026 for free on SportPesa. We deliver the latest updates as the action unfolds. Download SP Score to access the latest African teams World Cup 2026 analysis, live scores, results, and news.
FAQs on African teams at World Cup 2026
How many teams will qualify for the World Cup from each continent?
16 teams qualified from Europe, 10 from Africa, 9 from Asia, 6 from North America, 7 from South America and 1 from Oceania.
Did Harambee Stars qualify for the World Cup?
No, Harambee Stars did not qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup. Kenya’s chances ended with a 3-1 loss to Gambia at Kasarani Stadium.
Which teams have qualified already?
All 48 spots in the FIFA World Cup 2026 are filled.
Can Nigeria still qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
No, Nigeria missed out on the FIFA 2026 World Cup due to a disappointing qualification campaign. They lost to DR Congo in the playoff final of the best runners-up.
Which is the smallest nation to qualify for the World Cup 2026?
Curaçao is the smallest nation to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Dutch Caribbean Island unseated the previous record holder, Iceland. It has a population of 156,000 people and a small land area.
Conclusion
Players and fans alike are holding their breath for African teams’ success at the 2026 World Cup. For a long time, African talent has been a fixture in international competitions. It will therefore be interesting to follow these prodigious playmakers as they attempt to win for their countries. Sportpesa is a comprehensive player community for all your World Cup 2026 updates. Join Sportpesa and get instant access to the best odds on African teams at the World Cup 2026.
