Africa at the 2026 World Cup: Squad, group standing & fixtures

Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup: Full Squads, Groups, and Fixtures for Every Qualified Nation

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to make history, and Africa will play a bigger role than ever before.

When the tournament kicks off at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico on June 11, ten African nations will take their place on football’s biggest stage the highest number of African representatives in World Cup history. The expanded 48-team format has opened new opportunities for the continent, rewarding years of intense qualification battles with unprecedented representation.

From established powerhouses such as Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, and Algeria to emerging forces like Cape Verde and DR Congo, Africa arrives in North America with genuine ambitions of making a lasting impact.

African Nations Qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The ten African countries that secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are:

• Morocco

• Senegal

• Egypt

• Algeria

• Tunisia

• Côte d’Ivoire

• Ghana

• Cape Verde

• South Africa

• DR Congo

Nine nations secured automatic qualification by winning their CAF qualifying groups, while DR Congo claimed the continent’s final place after defeating Jamaica 1-0 after extra time in the intercontinental play-off.

Below is a complete guide to every African nation’s group, fixtures, and squad heading into the tournament.

South Africa

Group A Opponents

• Mexico

• South Korea

• Czechia

Group Stage Fixtures

• Mexico vs South Africa — June 11, 2026 (19:00 GMT)

• Czechia vs South Africa — June 18, 2026 (16:00 GMT)

• South Africa vs South Korea — June 24, 2026 (23:00 GMT)

Squad Overview

Bafana Bafana will rely heavily on captain Ronwen Williams, midfield leader Teboho Mokoena, and striker Lyle Foster as they attempt to progress from a challenging group featuring hosts Mexico.

Morocco

Group C Opponents

• Brazil

• Scotland

• Haiti

Group Stage Fixtures

• Brazil vs Morocco — June 13, 2026 (22:00 GMT)

• Scotland vs Morocco — June 19, 2026 (22:00 GMT)

• Morocco vs Haiti — June 24, 2026 (22:00 GMT)

Squad Overview

Fresh from their historic 2022 World Cup semifinal run, Morocco enters the tournament with one of Africa’s strongest squads. Stars such as Achraf Hakimi, Yassine Bounou, Brahim Díaz, Sofyan Amrabat, and Noussair Mazraoui headline a talented squad capable of challenging any nation.

Côte d’Ivoire

Group E Opponents

• Ecuador

• Germany

• Curaçao

Group Stage Fixtures

• Ivory Coast vs Ecuador — June 14, 2026 (23:00 GMT)

• Ivory Coast vs Germany — June 20, 2026 (20:00 GMT)

• Ivory Coast vs Curaçao — June 25, 2026 (20:00 GMT)

Squad Overview

The reigning African champions will look to build on their continental success. Franck Kessié, Ibrahim Sangaré, Amad Diallo, Simon Adingra, and Evan Ndicka form the backbone of a squad capable of causing problems for Europe’s elite.

Tunisia

Group C Opponents

• Netherlands

• Japan

• Sweden

Group Stage Fixtures

• Sweden vs Tunisia — June 15, 2026 (23:00 GMT)

• Tunisia vs Japan — June 21, 2026 (02:00 GMT)

• Netherlands vs Tunisia — June 25, 2026 (20:00 GMT)

Squad Overview

Tunisia faces a difficult assignment against three established World Cup competitors. Players such as Hannibal Mejbri, Ellyes Skhiri, and Ali Abdi will be key to the Carthage Eagles’ hopes of reaching the knockout stages.

Egypt

Group G Opponents

• Belgium

• Iran

• New Zealand

Group Stage Fixtures

• Belgium vs Egypt — June 16, 2026 (00:00 GMT)

• Egypt vs New Zealand — June 21, 2026 (21:00 GMT)

• Iran vs Egypt — June 27, 2026 (03:00 GMT)

Squad Overview

Led by Mohamed Salah and supported by Omar Marmoush, Egypt possesses one of the most dangerous attacking duos at the tournament. Expectations will be high as the Pharaohs seek their first knockout-stage appearance since 1990.

Cape Verde

Group H Opponents

• Spain

• Uruguay

• Saudi Arabia

Group Stage Fixtures

• Spain vs Cape Verde — June 15, 2026 (16:00 GMT)

• Uruguay vs Cape Verde — June 21, 2026 (22:00 GMT)

• Cape Verde vs Saudi Arabia — June 27, 2026 (00:00 GMT)

Squad Overview

Making one of the biggest appearances in the nation’s football history, Cape Verde will look to upset the odds. Veterans Ryan Mendes, Garry Rodrigues, and Jamiro Monteiro bring valuable international experience.

Senegal

Group I Opponents

• France

• Norway

• Iraq

Group Stage Fixtures

• France vs Senegal — June 16, 2026 (19:00 GMT)

• Norway vs Senegal — June 23, 2026 (00:00 GMT)

• Senegal vs Iraq — June 26, 2026 (19:00 GMT)

Squad Overview

Senegal remains one of Africa’s strongest contenders. Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, Édouard Mendy, Nicolas Jackson, and Pape Matar Sarr provide a blend of experience and quality capable of challenging even the tournament favourites.

Algeria

Group J Opponents

• Argentina

• Austria

• Jordan

Group Stage Fixtures

• Argentina vs Algeria — June 17, 2026 (01:00 GMT)

• Jordan vs Algeria — June 23, 2026 (02:00 GMT)

• Algeria vs Austria — June 28, 2026 (01:00 GMT)

Squad Overview

Algeria will once again look to Riyad Mahrez for inspiration. Supported by talents such as Amine Gouiri, Mohamed Amoura, and Rayan Aït-Nouri, the Desert Foxes possess enough quality to target a place in the knockout rounds.

DR Congo

Group K Opponents

• Portugal

• Colombia

• Uzbekistan

Group Stage Fixtures

• Portugal vs DR Congo — June 17, 2026 (17:00 GMT)

• Colombia vs DR Congo — June 24, 2026 (02:00 GMT)

• DR Congo vs Uzbekistan — June 27, 2026 (23:30 GMT)

Squad Overview

Returning to the World Cup after a long absence, DR Congo features a talented squad led by Yoane Wissa, Cedric Bakambu, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and Chancel Mbemba. Their clash against Uzbekistan could prove decisive in the race for qualification.

Ghana

Group L Opponents

• England

• Croatia

• Panama

Group Stage Fixtures

• Ghana vs Panama — June 17, 2026 (23:00 GMT)

• England vs Ghana — June 23, 2026 (20:00 GMT)

• Croatia vs Ghana — June 27, 2026 (21:00 GMT)

Squad Overview

The Black Stars face a demanding group but possess enough talent to compete. Ghana will be aiming to recreate the spirit of previous World Cup campaigns and challenge England and Croatia for a place in the knockout stages.

Can Africa Make History?

With ten representatives competing across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Africa heads into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with greater depth than ever before.

Morocco’s historic semifinal run in 2022 proved that African nations can challenge the world’s elite. Now, with Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Tunisia, South Africa, Cape Verde, and DR Congo joining the Atlas Lions, the continent will be hoping that 2026 becomes the tournament where African football reaches even greater heights.