Which of Africa’s 10 World Cup 2026 nations will go furthest? Pick your winner

Nigeria will not be at the 2026 World Cup. That much is settled. But Africa sends a record ten teams to the tournament, and for fans across the continent, the question now is simple — which nation carries the flag furthest? — and the group stage has already given us the first answers.

From Senegal’s title ambitions to Cape Verde’s historic debut, use the bracket below to predict your World Cup winner and tell us in the comments which African side you are backing.

Morocco — the benchmark

Morocco arrive as Africa’s standard-bearers. Their run to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar remains the greatest achievement in African football history, and Walid Regragui’s side have only grown since. Achraf Hakimi leads a squad packed with European-based talent, and the Atlas Lions will enter the tournament as genuine dark-horse contenders for the title itself.

The Atlas Lions backed that up in the group stage, drawing 1-1 with Brazil, beating Scotland 1-0 and defeating Haiti 4-2 to finish as Group C runners-up on seven points — level with Brazil only on goal difference. They face the Netherlands in Mexico on Monday, June 29.

Senegal — Africa’s strongest squad

Sadio Mané, Kalidou Koulibaly, Édouard Mendy. Senegal arrive with the most complete squad among African nations and the experience of a round-of-16 run in 2022 to build on. The reigning AFCON champions are the most likely African side to reach the quarter-finals and beyond.

The group stage was harder than anticipated. Senegal lost to France and Norway before a 5-0 win over Iraq on the final matchday sent them through as a third-place qualifier. They face Belgium in Seattle on Wednesday, July 1.

Egypt — Salah’s last dance?

Mohamed Salah, the Liverpool forward, leads Egypt into what could be his final World Cup. The Pharaohs qualified with Salah in devastating form, and a tournament built around their talisman makes them one of Africa’s most watchable sides.

Egypt made it through as Group G runners-up with five points, drawing with Belgium and Iran and beating New Zealand 3-1. They face Australia in Arlington, Texas on Friday, July 3.

Ghana — Kudus and the Black Stars return

Ghana sealed qualification with Mohammed Kudus scoring the decisive goal against Comoros. The Black Stars arrive for their fifth World Cup with a young, hungry squad and the motivation of an early exit in Qatar still fresh. Kudus and Antoine Semenyo provide genuine attacking threat.

Ghana advanced as one of the best third-place teams after drawing 0-0 with England and losing 2-1 to Croatia on the final matchday. They face Colombia in Kansas City on Friday, July 3.

Algeria — the dark horses

Algeria qualified strongly and arrive with a settled, experienced squad. The Desert Foxes have the tactical discipline and individual quality to cause problems for any opponent in the group stage, and should not be underestimated in the knockout rounds.

Algeria made it through in dramatic fashion, leading 3-2 against Austria deep into stoppage time before conceding twice to draw 3-3 — a result that still sent both sides through. They face Switzerland in Vancouver on Thursday, July 3.

Ivory Coast — unfinished business

Ivory Coast arrive with a point to prove after their shock group-stage exit as AFCON 2023 hosts. Les Éléphants have the quality to make a deep run and will be motivated to deliver a performance worthy of their talent.

Les Éléphants finished Group E as runners-up on six points, beating Ecuador and Curaçao either side of a 2-1 defeat to Germany. They face Norway in Arlington, Texas on Tuesday, June 30.

Tunisia — the consistent Africans

Tunisia’s World Cup ended in the group stage after losses to Sweden, Japan and the Netherlands left them bottom of Group F without a point. Their run of consecutive World Cup appearances continues to be a story of near misses rather than breakthroughs.

South Africa — Bafana Bafana on the big stage

South Africa return to the World Cup for the first time since hosting the tournament in 2010. Bafana Bafana qualified impressively and carry the emotional weight of a nation desperate for a moment to savour. Evidence Makgopa leads the attack in a squad built around defensive discipline and counter-attacking pace.

South Africa made the Round of 32 for the first time in their history, finishing as Group A runners-up after beating South Korea 1-0 on the final matchday. They face Canada at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, June 28 — today.

DR Congo — the Leopards roar back

DR Congo return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974 after a dramatic qualification campaign. Yoane Wissa, the Newcastle United forward, leads a side brimming with raw talent and the energy of a nation that has waited more than five decades for this moment.

The Leopards delivered, drawing 1-1 with Portugal and beating Uzbekistan 5-0 to reach the Round of 32. They face England in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 1.

Cape Verde — Africa’s greatest underdog story

Cape Verde qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their history — and then went and reached the Round of 32 in their debut tournament. The Blue Sharks drew all three group-stage matches, including a goalless draw against Spain, to finish as Group H runners-up and become the smallest nation ever to reach the knockout stages of a World Cup. They face Argentina in Miami on Friday, July 3, and the football world will be watching.

Pick your bracket, back your team and let us know — which African nation goes furthest in 2026?