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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Tunisia — the consistent Africans

Tunisia have qualified for consecutive World Cups and bring a familiar blend of organisation and technical quality. They are rarely spectacular but almost always competitive, and their ability to frustrate bigger nations makes them dangerous in the group stage.

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. Percy Tau leads the attack alongside a squad full of determination.

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.

Cape Verde — Africa’s greatest underdog story

Cape Verde qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their history, and their presence alone is cause for celebration. The Blue Sharks are organised, disciplined and capable of an upset — and as the tournament’s smallest nation, they will have the neutrals firmly behind them.

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