For di first time for World Cup history, ten African countries go dey for di tournament. Di 2026 World Cup go hold for USA, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, and Africa get more slots because FIFA don expand di competition to 48 teams. Before now, Africa get only five automatic slots, but now dem increase am to nine. Di tenth spot come from intercontinental play-off wey DR Congo win.
Nine African teams qualify by topping dia groups for CAF qualifiers wey run from November 2023 to October 2025. Morocco na di first to qualify after dem beat Niger 5-0 for Rabat. Morocco na strong contender after dem reach semi-final for 2022 World Cup for Qatar. Dem get players like Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech, and Youssef En-Nesyri. Dem go face Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti for Group C.
Senegal qualify as group B winners after dem beat Mauritania 4-0 for Dakar. Sadio Mané score two goals for dat match. Senegal get squad wey include Nicolas Jackson and Pape Matar Sarr. Dem go meet France, Norway, and Iraq for Group I.
Ghana bounce back after dem miss 2025 AFCON. Mohammed Kudus score winner against Comoros to seal qualification. Antoine Semenyo and Kudus go be key players when dem face England, Croatia, and Panama for Group L.
Egypt qualify with Mohamed Salah scoring two goals against Djibouti. Salah likely go play him last World Cup for 2026. Egypt go face Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand for Group G.
Algeria return to World Cup after 12 years absence. Riyad Mahrez lead di team wey go face Argentina, Austria, and Jordan for Group J. Algeria reach last 16 for 2014 before Germany eliminate dem.
Ivory Coast qualify as group F winners. Amad Diallo from Manchester United score and assist for 3-0 win over Kenya. Dem go face Germany, Ecuador, and Curaçao for Group E.
Cabo Verde go make dia World Cup debut after topping group D. Dem be second-smallest nation by population to ever play for men’s World Cup finals. Dem go face Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia for Group H.
Tunisia qualify again after group stage elimination for 2022, even though dem beat France 1-0. Dem never pass group stage for six World Cup appearances. Dem go face Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden for Group F.
South Africa survive three-point deduction for fielding ineligible player but still top group C. Bafana Bafana go open di tournament against Mexico for Mexico City on June 11—same as 2010 opener when South Africa host. Dem go face Mexico, South Korea, and Czechia for Group A.
DR Congo secure di tenth and final African slot after beating Jamaica 1-0 for extra time for intercontinental play-off. Axel Tuanzebe score di winning goal. Dis na dia first World Cup appearance since 1974. Dem qualify through CAF play-offs against Nigeria and Cameroon before winning di intercontinental play-off for Mexico. Dem go face Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan for Group K.
Notable absentees include Nigeria and Cameroon wey fall for CAF play-off stage. For African fans, di pain dey real, but di ten wey qualify get plenty talent to carry continent hope for North America.
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