Road To The 2026 World Cup: African Teams, Stars, And Qualifying Battles

‎As the excitement builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, African football is witnessing a mix of triumph and tribulation.

‎The road to the tournament, set to take place across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, is heating up.

‎Prominent players like Mohamed Salah of Egypt and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco are on the verge of leading their nations to qualification.

‎In contrast, Nigeria’s star duo, Victor Osimhen, and African best man player Ademola Lookman face a daunting challenge in their quest for a spot in the World Cup.

‎Let’s delve into the current status of African qualifying groups and analyze the compelling narratives unfolding within them.

‎Group A: Egypt on the Verge

‎Egypt is positioned strongly at the top of Group A, with the indomitable Mohamed Salah leading the charge.

‎Salah has been in sensational form, scoring six goals in six qualifying matches, showing his quality and professionalism on the pitch.

‎Alongside him, Mahmoud Trezeguet has also made significant contributions, helping the Pharaohs to secure 11 of their 14 total goals. Egypt’s impressive performance thus far indicates they are poised for a return to the World Cup for the third time, following their previous participations in 1934, 1990, and 2018.

‎While Egypt has historically enjoyed greater success at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), where they have claimed a record seven titles, the national team is eager to break free from their World Cup qualifying struggles.

‎Currently, they sit five points clear of second-placed Burkina Faso, and with only four matches remaining, it would take a dramatic collapse for them to miss out on qualification.

‎Group B: A Three-Way Battle

‎In Group B, the race is tight, with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal, and Sudan all in contention for the top spot.

‎Just one point separates the three teams, and the Congolese, who are leading, still have home matches against their rivals to look forward to. Sudan faces challenges due to their turbulent political situation, which may hinder their ability to perform away from home, ultimately affecting their chances.

‎With the tension high in this group, every match will be crucial as the teams scramble for valuable points.

‎Group C: South Africa’s Dilemma

‎South Africa finds itself in a precarious position as it faces potential penalties from FIFA, which could lead to a reversal of their recent 2-0 victory over Lesotho.

‎A violation regarding the eligibility of midfielder Teboho Mokoena could mean that South Africa’s win turns into a loss, shrinking their lead to just a single point. As South Africa’s footballing future hangs in the balance, the outcome of their appeal against the ruling could define their World Cup aspirations.

‎Group D: Cape Verde’s Remarkable Journey

‎Cape Verde is enjoying a fairy-tale run in Group D, currently sitting one point ahead of the traditional powerhouses from Cameroon.

‎If the Blue Sharks manage to secure victories against Mauritius and then hold their ground against Cameroon at home, they will make history with a first-ever World Cup appearance.

‎Group E: Morocco’s Class Shines

‎Morocco, led by the incredible Achraf Hakimi, is cruising toward qualification with a substantial nine-point lead over Niger, making them the standout team in the qualifiers.

‎With their talent and strong performances, the Moroccans are expected to reach the World Cup with relative ease. A potential complication arises from the suspension of the Congo national team, which, if turned into a disqualification, would mean Morocco needs only one point from two matches to qualify.

‎If Congo is reinstated, they will still be in a strong position needing only four points from their remaining three fixtures.

‎Group F: Ivory Coast vs. Gabon

‎In Group F, the stakes are high for African champions Ivory Coast, who are leading a closely contested race against Gabon, inspired by Arsenal star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

‎With only one point separating the teams, their upcoming clash in September will be crucial in determining who tops the group. The second-place team could potentially qualify as one of the four best-ranked runners-up, adding intensity to this matchup.

‎Group G: Algeria’s Dominance

‎Algeria has excelled under head coach Vladimir Petkovic, excelling in most of their qualifiers, aside from a surprising home loss to Guinea. As they look to maintain their momentum, they remain favorites in Group G, while Mozambique emerges as a contender for the playoff spots.

‎Group H: Tunisia

‎Tunisia is another team that seems set to qualify for the World Cup, as they top Group H with relative ease.

‎However, the spotlight is on fourth-placed Equatorial Guinea, whose appeal against a FIFA ban on star forward Emilio Nsue could see them reclaim valuable points. If successful, they could leap into contention for a playoff position.

‎Group I: Ghana’s Resurgence

‎After a disappointing failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON, Ghana has bounced back with a string of victories in their qualifiers. Currently leading the group with a three-point cushion over Comoros, the Black Stars aim to solidify their position and secure a return to the global stage.