African football arrives at the 2026 World Cup with greater expectations than ever. The continent has produced some decent teams in the past, but Morocco’s run to the semi-finals in Qatar changed perceptions of what is possible.
The question is now whether an African team can go even further this edition and challenge the established powers. So which team stands the greater chance?
Morocco
Morocco are probably Africa’s strongest candidate on paper. Their achievement in reaching the 2022 World Cup semi-finals was based on their defensive organisation and discipline but there was also elite individual quality. Much of that core remains intact. The team is still led by Achraf Hakimi, who is one of the world’s best full-backs. The squad still possesses depth across defence and midfield. Preparation has also been encouraging. Morocco have beaten African sides Madagascar 4-0 and then Namibia 5-0 in their World Cup warm-up matches. Their next fixture against Norway will be interesting.
The concern is that sometimes their attack can lack creativity and become reliant on moments from key players. Against elite opposition that is unlikely to be enough.
Senegal
Senegal have a strong core of talented players. Sadio Mane’s star is close to the western horizon but he continues to provide leadership and goals. The team is also full of Premier League talent such as Crystal Palace’s key man Ismaila Sarr, West Ham’s highly-rated fullback El Hadji Malick Diouf, Everton’s Idrissa Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye, and Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson. Their physicality and defensive strength make them difficult opponents to break down and they have developed a habit of competing well against top-level opposition, as shown in their victory over England in a friendly last year.
More recent results have been mixed however. They have lost to Brazil and then lost 3-2 to USA, even if they beat Peru 2-0 in March. They still have a strong squad but they will need to deliver far more if they are to achieve the considerable feat of toppling leading European and South American powers.
Egypt
Egypt arrive with Mohamed Salah, who is still one of the world’s elite forwards, even if he is at the tailend of his career and left Liverpool a shadow of his former self. This may not be Salah’s final appearance at a tournament for Egypt but it will certainly be his last at a World Cup, so it is now or never. Probably never, as Egyptian football has improved in recent years but they are still far short of the ammunition it will require to gun down even mid-level opposition, let alone the best sides in the world. In their latest warm-up they were beaten 2-1 by Brazil and that is likely as close as they can get to competing against a top side.
Ivory Coast
The reigning African champions have the talent to surprise stronger nations. Their squad has a mix of local players as well as experienced players established at major European clubs. They are physically imposing, athletic and capable of playing at high intensity, but they still lack consistency and enough quality. Ivory Coast can look outstanding in one match and vulnerable in the next. They beat France 2-1 in a friendly last week but France could also have fielded a much stronger team. Ivoy Coast will need to raise their current level a bit more if they are to make a reasonable run to the late knockout rounds.
South Africa
South Africa lack individual star power and rely on collective team play. They managed to qualify for the tournament by being disciplined and difficult to break down, but they clearly lack the elite-level attacking talent to seriously bother any of the world’s leading nations. Against teams that dominate possession and create chances consistently, South Africa may struggle to generate enough goals. A deep knockout run would be an achievement, but things are likely to start going south by the time they face Mexico on 11 June.
