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2026 World Cup: African teams handed blockbuster clashes as draw delivers high drama

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Africa’s representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup were handed a mix of glamorous showdowns, manageable pathways and daunting early challenges after the group-stage draw was conducted in Washington D.C. on Friday. 

The expanded 48-team format, being used for the first time, has produced several headline fixtures involving African nations, who now have a clear picture of the journey ahead in the United States, Mexico and Canada next June.

The continent enters the tournament with nine confirmed qualifiers — with DR Congo still potentially joining via the intercontinental play-offs — and the draw served up a series of compelling matchups that immediately set the tone for Africa’s ambitions on the global stage.

 

Morocco to face Brazil as South Africa land Mexico test

Morocco, Africa’s top-ranked side and semi-finalists in Qatar 2022, headline the continent’s assignments after being drawn into Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.

It is arguably the group of the World Cup’s African contingent, pitting the Atlas Lions against five-time world champions Brazil in a fixture certain to draw global attention.

South Africa, returning to the World Cup for the first time since hosting in 2010, find themselves in Group A with co-hosts Mexico, South Korea and the winner of European Play-off A.

Bafana Bafana face a balanced but highly competitive slate as they aim to reach the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

Cote d'Ivoire, Tunisia and Egypt handed balanced routes

Several African sides avoided the tournament’s most imposing opposition.
Cote d'Ivoire, champions of Africa in 1992, 2015 and 2023, were placed in Group E with Germany, Curaçao and Ecuador.

Though Germany are strong favourites, the Elephants will feel they have a realistic route to the knockout rounds.

Tunisia will compete in Group F, meeting the Netherlands, Japan and a European play-off winner.

While the Dutch present a formidable challenge, Tunisia have shown resilience in recent tournaments and will view Japan and the play-off entrant as winnable fixtures.

Egypt, who return to the World Cup for the first time since 2018, arguably received one of the continent’s more favourable groups.

The Pharaohs enter Group G to face Belgium, Iran and New Zealand — a balanced draw that offers the seven-time African champions a strong opportunity to progress.

Cape Verde and Algeria face heavyweight challenges

Cape Verde’s first-ever World Cup appearance will begin in Group H against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

For the Blue Sharks, the campaign represents both a historic test and a chance to showcase their rapid rise in African football.

Algeria, meanwhile, were handed one of the toughest assignments of any African team. The Desert Foxes land in Group J alongside Argentina, Austria and Jordan.

Their opening fixture against the reigning world champions will be among the most anticipated ties of the group stage.

Senegal renew rivalry with France as Ghana pulled into stern Group L

Senegal, Africa’s highest-ranked side behind Morocco, will again face France — their opponents in the iconic 2002 World Cup opener.

Drawn into Group I with France, Norway and the winner of a South American–Asian play-off, the Lions of Teranga are set for a demanding but compelling campaign.

Ghana enter Group L, confronting England, Croatia and Panama.

The Black Stars have a history of delivering on the World Cup stage and will need to recapture that form to navigate one of the most balanced but challenging groups of the draw.

DR Congo still hope to join Africa’s contingent

Group K may yet feature another African representative, with DR Congo positioned to join Portugal, Colombia and the intercontinental play-off winner — provided they advance past Jamaica and then Iraq in March’s qualification tournament.

A landmark tournament awaits

With blockbuster fixtures, historic reunions and real opportunities for progression, Africa’s World Cup journey begins with enormous intrigue.

The continent’s teams will now intensify their preparations as the countdown begins to the most ambitious and geographically vast World Cup ever staged.

What are the 2026 World Cup groups?

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, Korea Republic, European Play-Off D winner (Czechia, Denmark, North Macedonia or Republic of Ireland)

Group B: Canada, European Play-Off A winner (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Northern Ireland or Wales), Qatar, Switzerland

Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland

Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, European Play-Off C winner (Kosovo, Romania, Slovakia or Türkiye)

Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Côte d'Ivoire, Ecuador

Group F: Netherlands, Japan, European Play-Off B winner (Albania, Poland, Sweden or Ukraine), Tunisia

Group G: Belgium, Egypt, IR Iran, New Zealand

Group H: Spain, Cabo Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay

Group I: France, Senegal, FIFA Play-Off Tournament winner 2 (Bolivia, Iraq or Suriname), Norway

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan

Group K: Portugal, FIFA Play-Off Tournament winner 1 (DR Congo, Jamaica or New Caledonia), Uzbekistan, Colombia

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama