FIFA World Cup 2026 - How Far Will African Teams Go (Part 1)
The FIFA World Cup 2025 draw took place in Washington at the John F Kennedy Center, revealing the group stages for various teams, including African nations like South Africa, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, and potentially DR Congo. South Africa finds themselves in Group A with teams such as Mexico and Korea Republic, while Morocco face a challenging Group C with Brazil and Scotland. Ivory Coast's Group E includes Germany and Ecuador, and Tunisia battles it out in Group F with the Netherlands and Japan. DR Congo seeks to qualify through a play-off route in Group K.
- FIFA World Cup 2026 draw was held in Washington, placing South Africa, Morocco, Ivory Coast, and Tunisia in various groups.
- South Africa to play Mexico and Korea Republic; Morocco faces Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland.
- DR Congo eyes Group K through playoffs, potentially against Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.
Morocco finished fourth in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar (Getty Images).
Draw Takes Place in Washington
The draw for the FIFA World Cup 2026 took place on 5 December in Washington at the John F Kennedy Center. The African teams were drawn in the following groups, and below are the predictions as to how they will perform in the Group fixtures.
Group A: South Africa (World Ranking: 61)
Bafana Bafana will play in the tournament’s opening match against Mexico, the same opening fixture as the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. That match ended 1-1.
After facing 15th 15th-ranked Mexico, there will be a first-ever clash against Korea Republic. Son Heung-min’s nation is ranked 22nd in the world. The final team will be the winner of Play-off Path D, which is as follows:
Semi-final: Denmark vs North Macedonia
Semi-final: Czech Republic vs Republic of Ireland
Final: Czech Republic/Republic of Ireland vs Denmark/North Macedonia
Bafana could finish in the top two or progress as one of the best third-placed teams.
Group C: Morocco (World Ranking: 11)
The Atlas Lions drew Brazil, who they will face in their first match, as well as Haiti and Scotland.
Brazil sit fifth in the world rankings, whilst Haiti are 84th and the Scots are ranked 36th.
Morocco have every chance of progressing to the knockout stages in one of the first two positions. After their performance in the last World Cup, any less would be a surprise.
Group E: Ivory Coast (World Ranking: 42)
The Elephants have been drawn with Germany, Curacao and Ecuador.
Julian Nagelsmann’s team are ranked ninth in the world, whilst Ecuador sit 23rd. Curacao sit 82nd and could prove to be the whipping boys of this group.
The Ivorians are headlined by Premier League wingers in Amad Diallo (Man Utd) and Evan Guessand (Aston Villa). They have every chance of finishing in the top two places in the group.
Group F: Tunisia (World Ranking: 40)
Tunisia recently moved from 43rd to 40th in the FIFA rankings. They have drawn the Netherlands (7th) and Japan (18th), as well as one of the nations following the playoff route.
The fourth side in their group will be one of Poland/Ukraine/Sweden/Albania.
Tunisia have a team of largely home-based players. They will prove hard to beat and could push for the last-32 as one of the best third-placed finishers.
DR Congo Can Still Make it
A 10th African team can qualify in the shape of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
They have navigated their playoff semi-final against Nigeria and will face the winner of Jamaica and New Caledonia in the final. They will enter Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.
Those three nations are ranked 6th, 13th and 50th respectively, whilst DR Congo are ranked 56th and will be ranked as outsiders to qualify.
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