Africa will be well represented at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Cape Verde, and South Africa already confirmed, while DR Congo could join as the continent’s potential tenth entrant via the intercontinental playoff in March 2025.
The group-stage draw, held Friday at Washington’s Kennedy Center, has set the stage for a historic tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
For the first time, the World Cup will feature 12 groups, giving fans more matches and more teams than ever before.
Ghana’s Black Stars are drawn in Group L alongside 1966 champions England, 2018 runners-up Croatia, and Panama, presenting a tough path to the knockout stage.
Morocco, semi-finalists in 2022, will face Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti in Group C, while Senegal, in Group I, tackles France, Norway, and a team from FIFA Playoff 2, recalling their famous 1-0 win over France in the 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup opener.
Africa Cup of Nations champions Cote d’Ivoire are drawn in Group E with four-time winners Germany, Ecuador, and debutants Curacao.
Algeria will have their work cut out in Group J, taking on reigning champions Argentina, Austria, and Jordan, while Egypt squares off against Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand in Group G.
Tunisia, also in the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2025 Group C, has been drawn in Group F with the Netherlands, Japan, and a team from UEFA Playoff B, while newcomers Cape Verde face a challenging draw in Group H against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia.
South Africa, who edged out Nigeria for automatic qualification, will begin their World Cup campaign in Group A against hosts Mexico, South Korea, and a UEFA playoff winner.
The expanded format promises more drama, historic moments, and a global showcase of football talent like never before.
Fans can now eagerly anticipate Africa’s quest for glory on football’s biggest stage.
Full 2026 World Cup Group Stage Draw:
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, UEFA Playoff D winner (Denmark, North Macedonia, Ireland, or Czech Republic)
Group B: Canada, UEFA Playoff A winner (Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, or Bosnia & Herzegovina), Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, UEFA Playoff C winner (Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey, or Romania)
Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, UEFA Playoff B winner (Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, or Albania), Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, FIFA Playoff 2 winner (Bolivia, Suriname, or Iraq), Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, FIFA Playoff 1 winner (New Caledonia, Jamaica, or DR Congo), Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama
