The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup was conducted in Washington DC on Friday. The expanded 48-team format, being used for the first time, produced 12 groups, each containing four teams.
With the expansion of the tournament, African has 9 guaranteed slots with an a possible addition of another slot through intercontinental playoffs.
From Friday’s draw event, the pathway for the African teams is now clear ahead of the tournament to be held in United States, Mexico and Canada next year.
Morocco, who are top ranked team in Africa were drawn first into Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland and Haiti. The Atlas Lions who defied odds to become the first African team ro reach the semifinals of a World Cup in Qatar three years ago will be hoping to even perform better next year.
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.
The group provides a replay of the opening game of the 2010 World Cup between the Bafana Bafana and Mexico, famously known for the Siphiwe Tshabalala goal.
Reigning African Champions Ivory Coast were drawn into Group E that has Germany, debutants Curacao and Ecuador.
Tunisia will compete in Group F, meeting the Netherlands, Japan and a European play-off winner.
The Pharaohs of Egypt are in Group G and will be up against Belgium, Iran and New Zealand.
Cape Verde who are debutants at the World Cup will be in H alongside 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 will contend against defending Champions Argentina in Group J. The same group has Austria and Jordan.
Senegal will have a blockbuster renewal of rivalry against France in Group I. It should be noted that The Lions of Teranga on their World Cup debut back in 2002 stunned the then defending Champions, edging them 1-0.
The same group will have Norway and a winner of the South America / Asia playoff.
Ghana are in Group L, that also has 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 are still in contention for a slot at the World Cup but will first have to edge the winner between Jamaica and New Caledonia.
If they win the playoff, the Leopards will join Group K that has Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.
Full 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw
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