Mondial 2026 Discover the Nine Qualified Teams and Four Playoff Contenders from Africa
The qualification process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is advancing. As of October 14, 2023, the African qualifiers have concluded, revealing a total of nine teams that will represent Africa in the tournament.
Mondial 2026: Nine Qualified Teams from Africa
Africa benefits significantly from the World Cup’s expansion to 48 teams. Previously allotted only five spots, the continent will now field at least nine representatives. These spots are awarded to the group winners of the qualifications. The teams that have qualified are as follows:
- Morocco (Group E Winner)
- Tunisia (Group H Winner)
- Egypt (Group A Winner)
- Algeria (Group G Winner)
- Ghana (Group I Winner)
- Cape Verde (Group D Winner)
- South Africa (Group C Winner)
- Senegal (Group B Winner)
- Côte d’Ivoire (Group F Winner)
Playoff Contenders: A Chance for a Tenth Team
In addition to the nine qualified teams, there is a possibility for a tenth African representative. The four best runners-up from the qualification rounds will enter playoffs scheduled for November in Morocco. These matches will determine the final contender for the World Cup.
Upcoming Playoff Matches
The playoffs will consist of several knockout matches, where the winning team will advance to the next stage. This final step will involve an intercontinental playoff in March 2024, featuring six teams from different regions:
- Two teams from North and Central America
- One team from Africa
- One team from Asia
- One team from Oceania
- One team from South America
Among the teams vying for this opportunity are:
- Gabon
- Cameroun
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
Gabon enters as the highest-ranked runner-up, facing Nigeria, the lowest-ranked. Meanwhile, Cameroon will go head-to-head with the Republic of the Congo.
The qualification process for the 2026 World Cup marks a pivotal moment for African football, enhancing the continent’s representation on the global stage.
