Africa’s World Cup 2026 campaign: the good, the bad and the still undecided
Africa arrived at the 2026 World Cup with more teams than ever before — 10 in total, double the five that competed in Qatar in 2022. According to The Guardian, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) lobbied hard for years to secure greater representation, arguing it was inequitable for 54 member nations to share just five slots. That case was eventually accepted, and DR Congo sealed a 10th berth by defeating Jamaica in a playoff back in March.
The logic was straightforward: more sides means more opportunity to prove African football can compete at the highest level. CAF’s self-imposed benchmark is getting at least five teams through to the last 32. Whether that target is met could hinge on Monday’s meeting between Senegal and Norway, a Group I decider being played at New York New Jersey Stadium.
Where it has gone wrong
Tunisia have been the tournament’s most chaotic story. They were hammered 5-1 by Sweden, sacked manager Sabri Lamouchi, then lost 4-0 to Japan under Hervé Renard — their seventh coach since the qualifying campaign began. It is difficult to overstate quite how shambolic that is.
Algeria’s problems are more structural. Defensive weaknesses that surfaced during the Africa Cup of Nations quarter-final against Nigeria resurfaced against Argentina, who won 3-0. Monday’s game against Jordan is now essentially a must-win for them.
South Africa have also frustrated. They bafflingly set up with a back five in their opener, were beaten by Mexico and only salvaged a draw against Czechia via a late penalty. A win over South Korea in their final group game could still see them through, but their passive approach has felt like a step back from the progressive football they played under Hugo Broos.
Where it has gone right
Morocco and Côte d’Ivoire have both shown genuine quality. Morocco led Brazil and controlled the game before the first-half hydration break, and their 1-0 victory over Scotland should arguably have been by a greater margin. Côte d’Ivoire matched Germany for an hour, with Amad Diallo and Yan Diomande posing real threats, before Germany’s substitute Deniz Undav scored twice to win it.
Senegal, meanwhile, were competitive against France despite losing 3-1, though a familiar pattern of African sides fading in the final quarter re-emerged.
The stakes are high on Monday. Keep up with all the action on our World Cup 2026 hub and check the live standings for the very latest group positions.