AFCON 2025
For the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup, 10 African teams will compete in the competition increasing their chances of making it to the knockout stages.
Senegal, the reigning African champions, as well as Morocco, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, are among the most experienced teams representing Africa at the maiden edition of the 48-team tournament, which will take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Without doubt, African teams boast some of the biggest talents in the world. Senegal’s Sadio Mane, Egypt’s Mohammed Salah, Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi among others have made a significant impact in Europe over the years and will look to help their teams progress beyond the first round.
With Nigeria missing out on the World Cup for the second time in a row, Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, Egypt, and Algeria have the responsibility to make Africa’s participation memorable.
This post examines five African countries with a high chance of qualifying for the second round of the 2026 World Cup based on squad quality, group stage opponents and antecedents.
- Morocco – The Atlas Lions
Morocco are arguably the best team on the continent over the last couple of years. The Atlas Lions are appearing at the World Cup for the seventh time after making their debut appearance in 1970.
The North African side made history at the 2022 World Cup as they became the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the World Cup where they lost to France.
Achraf Hakimi, captain of the side will lead other talented stars like Real Madrid’s Achraf Hakimi, PSV’s Ismael Saibari, rising youngster, Ayyoub Bouaddi, and Ayoub El Kaabi among others to the global stage this summer.
Morocco are in Group C and will face-off against five star World champions Brazil, debutants Haiti and Scotland.
- Senegal
Senegal, the Terenga Lions and reigning champions of the continent parade experience and young talent making them favourites to progress into the latter stages of the competition.
Sadio Mane leads a set of players hungry to prove themselves on the World stage having conquered Africa a few months ago.
Everton’s Idrissa Gana Gueye, Kalidou Koulibaly, Édouard Mendy have experience under their belts while the likes of Habib Diarra, Iliman Ndiaye and Ibrahim Mbaye can’t wait to show their talents to the world.
Senegal will face off against former World Champions France in Group I, alongside Iraq and Norway.
- Ivory Coast
The Elephants return to the World stage after missing out on the 2022 World Cup. The former African champions qualified for the tournament without losing a match during the qualification series.
Cote D’Ivoire might not have names like Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, Gervinho, Yaya Toure among others that strike fear in the hearts of opponents but they have a squad of young and enterprising players that have been making waves in Europe already.
Leipzig’s Yan Diomande and Manchester United”s Amad Diallo, Inter Milan’s Ange-Yoan Bonny and Monaco’s Simon Adingra are Cote D’Ivoire’s forwards saddled with the responsibility of getting goals for the team.
Germany, debutants Curaçao and Ecuador are Cote D’Ivoire’s opponents in the first round as they look to get into the knockout stage.
- Ghana
The Black Stars have been consistent with their appearances at the World Cup having qualified for every edition between 2006 and 2026 except 2018.
Ghana are led by former Manchester United”s assistant coach Carlos Quiroz after parting ways with Otto Addo.
The Black Stars also have a young squad with the likes of Manchester City’s Antoine Semenyo, Caleb Yirenkyi, Kamaldeen Sulemana.
They are also not lacking experience as they can rely on Thomas Partey in midfield, Inaki Williams in attack and Lawrence Ati-Zigi in between the sticks.
Ghana have a difficult path to qualification into the next round as they would face off against England and Croatia in the first round.
However, with the expended format, the Black Stars can secure maximum points against Panama and hope to qualify as one of the best losers.
- Egypt
Egypt have been quite underwhelming at the international stage but the Pharaoh’s are not exactly lacking in quality even though they have a heavy contingent of home based players.
Mohamed Salah remains a world-class difference-maker. Belgium are the clear favorites, but Egypt should be competitive against Iran and especially New Zealand.
With Salah fit, they have a realistic shot at second or a qualifying third place at least with the support cast of Omar Marmoush, Trezeguet, Emam Ashour, and Mostafa Abdel Raouf “Zico”.
The above mentioned teams have a decent chance of qualifying into the knockout stages with the even though they are faced with fierce oppositions.
Among the other give teams, South Africa and Algeria are also have a decent chance of making progress into the round of 32.
