A record 10 African teams will play at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, the first time the continent’s representation has reached double digits. The Democratic Republic of Congo’s tense extra-time win against Jamaica in late March’s qualifying playoff match rounded up the numbers, after nine countries had won automatic qualifications last year.
Four years after Morocco became the first African country to cross the quarter-final threshold, the level of competitive anticipation for African teams has been raised. It will be a phenomenal, if long-overdue, achievement should an African team reach a medal position, but recent events show that it’s not as insurmountable as it seemed a few decades ago.
All ten teams are looking to make a remarkable impact heading into this World Cup, with most hoping to build on past history at the competition, and a few others looking to write new chapters in their football history as mundial debutants or returnees after long absences. Here’s what you need to know.
Morocco (The Atlas Lions)
The Atlas Lions’ history-making fourth-place finish in Qatar has largely overshadowed the fact that in 1986 Morocco was the first-ever African team to advance past the group stage at the World Cup. That achievement served as the foundation for the stellar performances by African teams in the following decades. Heading into its seventh World Cup appearance, Morocco will be keenly watched as arguably Africa’s best chance for a deep run and a dark horse contender for the trophy, aided by the experience of a squad that consists of nine players from the last time they reached the final four.
Group C with Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti
Nickname: أُسُودُ الأَطلَس (Usud al-Atlas) / The Atlas Lions
Key players: Brahim Díaz, Achraf Hakimi, Youssef En-Neysri
Best performance at the World Cup: Fourth Place (2002)
Senegal (Lions of Teranga)
Less than 30 minutes into their World Cup debut, Senegal’s Teranga Lions stunned the rest of the world. In the opening match of Korea/Japan 2002, Papa Bouba Diop poached in a close-range finish over then-reigning champions and tournament favorites France. The goal was further immortalized by an iconic dancing celebration. Not only did that team beat France, but it also reached the quarter-final, a feat it has not achieved since returning to the World Cup in the past two editions. Coming off what is widely considered a successful AFCON campaign, Senegal’s current golden generation will look to match or even eclipse the standard set by their forebears 24 years ago.
Group I with France, Norway, and Iraq
Nickname: Les Lions de la Téranga / Lions of Teranga
Key Players: Sadio Mané, Iliman Ndiaye, Pape Gueye
Best performance at World Cup: Quarter-final (2002)
Algeria (The Fennecs)
Twelve years after pushing eventual champions Germany to a second-round extra-time tie, Algeria will finally return to the World Cup. Led by captain Riyadh Mahrez, the Fennecs will be looking to make up for lost time, starting from their opening match against reigning champions Argentina. For inspiration, the team can look to Algeria’s World Cup debut in 1982, when goals from Rabah Madjer and Lakhdar Belloumi led their side to a 2-1 win over then-defending champions West Germany in their first group-stage match. That iconic win was undercut by Algeria becoming the first-ever team to win two group-stage matches and still not qualify for the knockout phase. This time around, going beyond a second-round exit would be a remarkable achievement.
Group J with Argentina, Austria, and Jordan
Nickname: Les Fennecs / The Fennecs
Key Players: Riyadh Mahrez, Mohamed Amoura, Houssem Aouar
Best performance at World Cup: Group Stage (1982, 1986, 2010, 2014)
Ghana (Black Stars)
The last two times Ghana was at the World Cup (2014 and 2022), its teams failed to scale the group stage. It’s a sharp contrast to the Black Stars’ first two appearances, when they reached the second round in 2006 and got to the quarterfinals in 2010. At the latter, the first mundial hosted on African soil, Ghana carried the hopes of the entire continent as the only African country to be in the final eight, only to be denied by a blatant handball on the goal line by Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez. After the ensuing penalty was missed, Ghana was eliminated in the penalty shootout after a lauded display of grit and flair. The Black Stars haven’t hit that peak since, but with a squad featuring notable players like Jordan Ayew, Iñaki Williams, and Antoine Semenyo, it could be time for Ghana to shine again at the World Cup.
Group L with England, Panama, and Croatia
Nickname: Black Stars
Key Players: Antoine Semenyo, Thomas Partey, Iñaki Williams
Best performance at World Cup: Quarter-final (2010)
Egypt (The Pharaohs)
One of the most confounding phenomena in African football is Egypt's struggle to be a consistent presence at the World Cup, despite being a perennial powerhouse on the continent. In seven matches across three appearances, the Pharaohs have yet to win a game. In 1934, Egypt became the first African country to play in the World Cup, and it took 56 years for a second appearance, during which the team scored just one goal and earned two points from two draws. In 2018, Egypt lost all three matches. Long-term goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy recently stated that the lack of experience played a role in the 2018 campaign. “Today, the picture is much clearer for us, and we can achieve something special at the upcoming World Cup. Of course, we have to define our objectives and ambitions to reach the latter stages of the tournament. Right now, it’s essential that we qualify for the knockout rounds.”
Group G with Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran
Nickname: الفراعنة / The Pharaohs
Key Players: Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush, Mohamed El Shenawy
Best performance at World Cup: First Round/Group Stage (1934, 1990, 2018)
South Africa (Bafana Bafana)
If the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg had a roof, it would’ve been blown to bits on June 11, 2010. In the opening match of the 2010 World Cup, South African winger Siphiwe Tshabalala caused absolute delirium amongst home fans with his left-footed bullet strike, the kind of goal that makes a man immortal. After back-to-back appearances in 1998 and 2002, Bafana Bafana missed the next World Cup and returned when South Africa hosted in 2010. It’s been sixteen years, and Bafana is finally back at the mundial, edging out Nigeria in the qualifying rounds for this year’s tournament. The goal is clear: Qualify out of the group stage for the first time ever. Hugo Broos’ squad features eight players each from local club heavyweights Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns, banking on continuity and cohesion to get the job done.
Group A with Mexico, Korea, and the Czech Republic
Nickname: Bafana Bafana (‘The Boys’ in Zulu)
Key Players: Teboho Mokoena, Ronwen Williams, Evidence Makgopa
Best performance at World Cup: Group Stage (1998, 2002, 2010)
Tunisia (Eagles of Carthage)
In 1978, Tunisia made history as the first African country to win a match at the World Cup. After conceding a first-half penalty, Tunisia replied with three goals en route to a historic victory. Since then, the Carthage Eagles have been at five more editions of the World Cup and will be hoping that their seventh appearance this year will finally result in a deeper run than the consistent exits from group play. In 2022, they beat eventual runners-up France by a lone goal in their final group match but missed out on qualifying for the next round. In qualifying for this World Cup, the Eagles were ruthless, cruising to a ticket without conceding a goal, and the team will be hoping to carry the same form into its campaign at the finals tournament.
Group F with Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands
Nickname: Les Aigles de Carthage / نسور قرطاج) / Eagles of Carthage
Key Players: Hannibal Mejbri, Ali Abdi, Rani Khedira
Best performance at World Cup: Group Stage (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022)
Côte d’Ivoire (The Elephants)
The last time Côte d’Ivoire was at the World Cup, in 2014, it was expected that its star-studded team, packed with players plying their trade in Europe, would advance beyond the group stage. A last-minute loss to Greece in the final group stage dashed those expectations. Perhaps the fourth time is the charm. Returning to the tournament after missing the previous two editions, the Elephants will be looking to lay down the gauntlet right from the team’s opening match against Ecuador. The 2023 AFCON champions fell quite short of their aim to retain the title earlier this year, and will be looking to turn that disappointment into motivation for a strong World Cup showing.
Group E with Ecuador, Germany, and Curaçao
Nickname: Les Éléphants / The Elephants
Key Players: Yan Diomandé, Amad Diallo, Simon Adingra
Best performance at World Cup: Group Stage (2006, 2010, 2014)
Cape Verde (Blue Sharks)
Head Coach Pedro Leitão Brito firmly believes in his team ahead of Cape Verde’s debut appearance at the World Cup. An emphatic 3-0 win over Eswatini on the final day of group qualification matches sealed the island country’s ticket to the tournament finals, ahead of group favorites Cameroon. Pooled in a group with contender Spain and a strong Uruguayan side, not many expect much from the Blue Sharks. However, in the World Cup’s expanded format, where 32 teams enter the knockout phase, Cape Verde could be the first African debutants since Ghana in 2006 to advance from the group stage. “We want to make an impact on the tournament for our people,” Brito recently said. “We want to show everyone watching that, yes, we’re a small country, but we can play against the big teams. We know it’s hard, but we want to show that nothing is impossible.”
Group H with Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia
Nickname: Tubarões Azuis / Blue Sharks
Key Players: Dailon Livramento, Ryan Mendes, Vozinha
DR Congo (The Leopards)
When Sebastien Desabre was appointed as the coach of DR Congo’s men’s football team in August 2022, he declared that his “goals are to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 and to take part in the World Cup 2026.” Just over a year later, Desabre’s vision seemed possible, with the Leopards getting to the semi-final of AFCON 2023. Boasting the most talented Congolese squad since the country won the AFCON title and debuted at the World Cup in 1974, with notable players like Yoane Wissa, Cedrick Bakambu, and Noah Sadiki, the Leopards made good on Desabre’s mundial goal after beating Jamaica in the inter-confederation playoff. Starting its tournament campaign against a strong Portugal side, DR Congo will be banking on its team’s coordinated and gritty identity to leave a remarkable impression after 54 years away from the biggest stage in international football.
Group K with Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan
Nickname: Les Léopards / The Leopards
Key Players: Cédric Bakambu, Lionel Mpasi, Chancel Mbemba
Best performance at World Cup: Group Stage (1974)
