FIFA World Cup 2026 - How Far Will African Teams Go (Part 2)
The draw for the FIFA World Cup 2025 took place at the John F Kennedy Center in Washington. Egypt is in a competitive group with Belgium and Iran but could secure the second spot. Cape Verde faces tough competitors like Spain and Uruguay, competing with Saudi Arabia for a third-place finish. Senegal meets France again—their key opponents being Norway and potential winners from a European playoff. Algeria's chances lie against Austria and newcomers Jordan, while Ghana faces strong teams like England and Croatia. DR Congo still has a playoff opportunity to join Group K.
- Egypt could secure 2nd place in their group against Belgium, New Zealand and Iran.
- Cape Verde likely competing with Saudi Arabia for a potential third-place finish.
- Senegal faces formidable opponents including France and Norway; upcoming playoff results to determine a final rival.
Senegal will be led by veteran Sadio Mane as they look to beat France in another World Cup (Getty Images).
Draw Takes Place in Washington
The draw for the FIFA World Cup 2025 took place on 5 December in Washington at the John F Kennedy Center. The African teams were drawn in the following groups below. We predict which of the nations will progress past the Group Stages.
Group G: Egypt (World Ranking: 34)
The Pharaohs are spearheaded by Mohamed Salah. They have been drawn alongside Belgium, Iran and New Zealand. The Red Devils are ranked eighth in the world, whilst IR Iran are 20th and New Zealand sit down in 86th place.
Egypt have every chance of finishing second in this group, and will likely be battling Iran for automatic qualification. Chris Wood will carry the load up front for New Zealand but his side could finish in bottom spot.
Group H: Cape Verde (World Ranking: 68)
Cabo Verde are ranked 68th in the world and have been consistently improving in recent years.
They have been given a rough draw with the world’s number one side in Spain. Uruguay are another formidable side who sit 16th in the world and who will expect to qualify in the top two places.
The final side is Saudi Arabia, who will host the 2034 World Cup and who sit 60th in the rankings.
In reality, Cape Verde are battling to finish third with Saudi Arabia. They will have to hope to progress as one of the best third-place finishers.
Group I: Senegal (World Ranking: 19)
The Lions of Teranga will start the tournament against France, the team they beat in the opening match of the 2022 World Cup. That meeting finished in a famous 1-0 win for Senegal. France are third in the world rankings.
Norway, led by the prolific Erling Haaland, are one of the other two teams. The Scandinavian nation sit 29th in the rankings.
The final team will be the winner of Play-off Path B, so one of:
Semi-final: Ukraine vs Sweden
Semi-final: Poland vs Albania
Final: Ukraine/Sweden vs Poland/Albania
Group J: Algeria (World Ranking: 35)
The Desert Warriors have been drawn alongside Argentina, Austria and Jordan. Argentina are the holders and the number two ranked team in the world. They will surely top the group.
Austria have qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years. They are the 24th-best nation in the world.
Jordan sit 66th in the rankings and have qualified for the first time in their history.
Algeria will battle Austria for second spot. Man City left back Rayan Aït-Nouri and veteran winger Riyad Mahrez will be two of the key players.
Group L: Ghana (World Ranking: 72)
The Black Stars sit all the way down in 72nd place in the World Rankings after a few years of underperforming.
They’ve been drawn a very tough group with England and Croatia, two teams that have excelled in recent World Cups. England are 4th and Croatia are 10th in the rankings and will surely occupy the top two spots in Group L.
The fourth team is 30th-ranked Panama, also a tough opponent. Ghana could find themselves finishing bottom of the group and making an early exit from USA 2026.
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 would enter Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.
Those three nations are ranked 6th, 13th and 50th respectively, whilst DR Congo is ranked 56th and wil be seen as outsiders to reach the knockout rounds.
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