South Africa – Group A (FIFA Ranking: 60)
Hugo Broos’ Bafana Bafana open the entire tournament against co-hosts Mexico at the Estadio Azteca on 11 June. Ranked 60th in the world, they topped CAF Group C unbeaten to reach their first World Cup since 2010 – having also appeared in 1998 and 2002.
All three campaigns ended in the group stage, though 2002 was their finest – exiting on goal difference despite finishing level on points with Paraguay. Ronwen Williams stands in goal, Mbekezeli Mbokazi anchors the defence, Relebohile Mofokeng provides the creative spark and Lyle Foster leads the attack.
Their iconic World Cup figure remains Siphiwe Tshabalala – whose thunderous strike against Mexico at Soccer City in 2010 became the most celebrated moment in South African football history.
READ: Flashback – When Tshabalala made South Africa dream
Morocco – Group C (FIFA Ranking: 8)
Africa’s standard bearers arrive in North America as the continent’s highest-ranked side and its greatest World Cup hope. Mohamed Ouahbi – appointed in March 2026 after Walid Regragui’s resignation – takes charge at his first senior tournament after leading Morocco’s U20 side to the 2025 U20 World Cup title.
The Atlas Lions topped CAF Group E with a perfect qualifying record – eight wins, zero draws, zero defeats. They have appeared at seven World Cups – their best finish the historic semi-final run at Qatar 2022 that eliminated Belgium, Spain and Portugal before losing to France. Achraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz and Yassine Bounou are the players to watch.
Their iconic World Cup figure is Mustapha Hadji – the 1998 African Footballer of the Year whose dazzling goal against Norway at France 1998 defined Morocco’s greatest World Cup era.
Ivory Coast – Group E (FIFA Ranking: 34)
Emerse Fae’s Elephants return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence – missing the 2018 and 2022 tournaments entirely – with the youngest squad at the entire competition.
They topped CAF Group F unbeaten across ten matches, finishing one point ahead of Gabon. It is their fourth World Cup appearance – having featured in 2006, 2010 and 2014 – but they have never advanced beyond the group stage. Yan Diomande, Amad Diallo and Franck Kessie are the players to watch.
Their iconic World Cup figure is Didier Drogba – whose goal against Argentina in the 82nd minute at Germany 2006 was the first ever scored by an Ivorian at a World Cup and whose legacy defines the nation’s footballing identity.
Tunisia – Group F (FIFA Ranking: 44)
The Eagles of Carthage arrive at their seventh World Cup having made history in qualifying – becoming the first nation ever to reach the tournament without conceding a single goal across ten matches under previous coach Sami Trabelsi.
New coach Sabri Lamouchi – appointed in January 2026 – inherited that qualified squad and has built on its defensive foundation. Tunisia have never advanced beyond the group stage in six previous appearances, though their 2022 campaign produced a famous 1-0 victory over defending champions France. Ellyes Skhiri, Hannibal Mejbri and Khalil Ayari are the players to watch.
Their iconic World Cup figure is Tarek Dhiab – widely regarded as the greatest Tunisian footballer of all time, the elegant midfielder appeared at the 1978 and 1998 World Cups and remains the benchmark against which all Tunisian players are measured.
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Egypt – Group G (FIFA Ranking: 29)
Hossam Hassan’s Pharaohs return to the World Cup for the fourth time – having also appeared in 1934, 1990 and 2018. They topped CAF Group A unbeaten – Mohamed Salah scoring twice in the decisive win over Djibouti – and face Belgium, Iran and New Zealand in what represents their clearest opportunity yet to reach the knockout stages.
Egypt have never won a World Cup match. Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush and Trezeguet are the players to watch.
Their iconic World Cup figure is Hossam Hassan himself – now the national team coach, the all-time Egyptian record scorer with 69 goals appeared at the 1990 World Cup and remains the most celebrated Egyptian footballer in history.
Cape Verde – Group H (FIFA Ranking: 69)
The Blue Sharks make their first ever World Cup appearance – a historic achievement for an island nation of approximately 550,000 people.
Coach Bubista – who has guided Cape Verde through their remarkable rise as an African footballing nation – topped CAF Group D to seal qualification. With no World Cup history to draw on, everything from their opening match against Spain on 15 June is uncharted territory. Garry Rodrigues, Jovane Cabral and Logan Costa are the players to watch.
Their iconic figure is Fernando Varela – the former PAOK centre-back who was a cornerstone of Cape Verde’s defence across three AFCON campaigns between 2008 and 2019 and helped establish the Blue Sharks as a credible African force.
Senegal – Group I (FIFA Ranking: 14)
Africa’s second-ranked side and arguably their strongest overall squad arrive at their fourth World Cup under coach Pape Thiaw – who replaced long-serving Aliou Cisse in 2024.
Senegal topped CAF Group B unbeaten – seven wins and three draws – with Sadio Mane finishing as top scorer with five goals. Their best World Cup finish remains the quarter-finals in 2002 – a campaign that included a famous opening win over France.
They have reached the Round of 16 in both 2018 and 2022. Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly and Nicolas Jackson are the players to watch.
Their iconic World Cup figure is El-Hadji Diouf – the talismanic forward who inspired the legendary 2002 campaign and remains the most celebrated player in Senegal’s World Cup history.
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Algeria – Group J (FIFA Ranking: 28)
The Desert Foxes return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014 – ending a 12-year absence that haunted a generation of Algerian footballers. Vladimir Petkovic’s side topped CAF Group G with eight wins from ten matches and face reigning champions Argentina in their opening fixture on 17 June – a baptism of fire at Kansas City Stadium.
Algeria’s five World Cup appearances include their greatest moment – a Round of 16 appearance at Brazil 2014 where they pushed eventual champions Germany to extra time before losing 2-1. Riyad Mahrez, Mohamed Amoura and Ibrahim Maza are the players to watch.
Their iconic World Cup figure is Lakhdar Belloumi – the 1981 African Footballer of the Year who scored the historic goal against West Germany in 1982 that gave Africa its first ever World Cup victory over a European nation.
DR Congo – Group K (FIFA Ranking: 46)
The Leopards return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974 – when they competed as Zaire – after one of the most dramatic qualification stories of the entire cycle.
Sebastien Desabre’s side beat Nigeria in the CAF playoff final before defeating Jamaica 1-0 in extra time on 31 March 2026 in the intercontinental playoff.
It is only their second ever World Cup appearance and first under the DR Congo name – with Portugal waiting in their opening fixture on 17 June. Yoane Wissa, Cedric Bakambu and Chancel Mbemba are the players to watch.
Their iconic figure is Shabani Nonda – the former AS Monaco and Blackburn Rovers striker and DR Congo’s all-time top scorer who inspired a generation and remains the greatest Congolese footballer of the modern era.
Ghana – Group L (FIFA Ranking: 74)
The Black Stars arrive at their fifth World Cup under Carlos Queiroz – having also appeared in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022. Mohammed Kudus scored the decisive goal against Comoros to seal qualification from CAF Group I and Ghana face England in their opening fixture on 13 June.
Their greatest World Cup achievement remains the quarter-finals at South Africa 2010 – eliminated by Uruguay after Luis Suarez’s infamous handball on the goal line in the final seconds of extra time. Mohammed Kudus, Antoine Semenyo and Thomas Partey are the players to watch.
Their iconic World Cup figure is Asamoah Gyan – Africa’s all-time top scorer at World Cups with six goals, whose penalty miss against Uruguay in 2010 remains one of the most agonising moments in tournament history.
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
