World Cup: Predicting the Stage of Elimination for All Ten African Nations

The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America will be the biggest ever, with 48 teams competing instead of the usual 32. That increase provided a better chance than ever before for Africa's finest to punch their tickets to football's biggest party. The continent secured nine automatic qualifying spots at this summer's tournament, up from the usual six, as well as an additional slot through the playoffs.

Nations such as Cape Verde and DR Congo took full advantage. The former surprisingly topped Group D ahead of heavyweights Cameroon to seal their spot at the tournament for the first time ever. The latter, meanwhile, outlasted both the aforementioned Cameroonians and fellow continental giant Nigeria in the playoffs, before also going on to beat Jamaica in the inter-confederational playoffs to secure their first World Cup berth under the DR Congo flag.

Unfortunately for Kenya, the Harambee Stars weren't able to cash in on their best chance yet to appear at the World Cup. Despite picking up qualifying wins against the Seychelles (twice) and Burundi, Benni McCarthy's men finished a distant fourth behind the Ivory Coast, Gabon, and Gambia, missing out on qualification by some distance. Still, the World Cup will go on without them, and online betting sites have their frontrunners priced up.

The latest World Cup odds at Bovada currently list Spain as the clear front-runners, with the bookmakers positioning them as a 9/2 favorite to lift the trophy for the second time, 12 years on from the first in South Africa. They are closely followed by 5/1 second-favorites France, a team that captain Kylian Mbappe has led to each of the last two finals, winning the first in Moscow before succumbing to Lionel Messi's fairytale run in Qatar. Morocco are currently considered the most likely nation to bring the trophy back to Africa for the first time, with the same bookmaker listing them as a 50/1 shot, ahead of the likes of the USA, Uruguay, and Switzerland.

So, with the tournament fast approaching, how will each of Africa's ten qualifying nations fare across the Atlantic this summer? Here, we predict the stage of elimination for each of them.

South Africa will play in the first game of the tournament as Mexico welcomes them to Mexico City on June 11th for the curtain raiser, in a repeat of the 2010 opener. Bafana Bafana were imperious throughout qualifying, finishing ahead of a lackluster Nigerian team to top Group C, despite having three points deducted for fielding an ineligible player against Lesotho.

They have been drawn into Group A alongside the aforementioned Mexicans, South Korea, and the Czech Republic. While that isn't the most difficult group an African team will face this summer, we still expect them to bow out at the group stage, with Mexico and the Koreans the likely group toppers.

Four years ago, Morocco became the first African nation in history to reach the World Cup semifinals, embarking upon a fairytale run that saw them knock off Belgium, Spain, and Portugal to make it to the final four. Fast forward to now, and we think a run to the quarterfinals (at odds of 6/1 no less) could certainly be possible.

The Atlas Lions will fancy themselves to finish as Group C runners-up behind Brazil but ahead of both Scotland and Haiti. Should they manage that, then a difficult clash against the Group F winners - likely the Netherlands - would await in the Round of 32. However, that is a contest that is certainly winnable, as would be their round of 16 contest against either the runner-up in Group A or the runner-up in Group B, the two weakest groups at the tournament.

The Ivory Coast returns to the World Cup for the first time since 2014; however, their history at the tournament isn't great, failing to reach the knockout rounds in three attempts. We expect them to reach the Round of 32 this year, finishing behind Germany and Ecuador but ahead of Curacao. Victory against the tiny Caribbean nation, coupled with a draw against either of their two other opponents, should be enough to secure their spot.

2026 marks the seventh time Tunisia have qualified for the World Cup, including the last three in a row. On neither of the six previous occasions have they managed to make it out of the group stage, and we expect them to suffer the same fate here. Their group stage opponents are the Netherlands, Sweden, and Japan.

Cape Verde became the second smallest nation in history to secure their spot at the World Cup after a thrilling qualifying effort. While that is an almighty achievement in itself, we can't see anything other than a group stage exit, with Spain and Uruguay both tough opposition. Should they manage to beat Saudi Arabia, however, they may well be in with an outside chance of reaching the Round of 32.

The legendary Mohamed Salah returns to the World Cup, perhaps for the final time, and he will be hoping that he fares better in 2026 than he did on his maiden appearance in 2018. Back then, his Pharaohs were dumped out at the group stage, but having been handed a favorable draw alongside New Zealand and Iran, they will be disappointed if they don't reach the Round of 32, perhaps even as runners-up behind Belgium. Either the United States or Turkey would await in the first knockout round.

Senegal will head to North America as motivated as ever after being stripped of their AFCON title. However, a tough group alongside France and Norway will be difficult. We expect them to make it to the Round of 32 as one of the best-placed third-placed teams, which will ultimately provide a tough clash against one of the group winners.

Algeria will venture back onto the global stage for the first time since 2014, where they reached the last 16 and gave eventual winners Germany all they could handle along the way. After being drawn with reigning champions Argentina and in-form Austria, they will have their work cut out in Group J. However, if they beat Jordan - which they will be expected to do - then they stand a great chance of a Round of 32 berth.

DR Congo arguably had the toughest route to the World Cup of all 48 qualifiers, finishing behind Senegal in group B before knocking off Cameroon, Nigeria, and Jamaica in a grueling playoff campaign. They have been drawn into Group L alongside Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Colombia, two nations that will provide quite the test. Still, an impressive win against Uzbekistan could seal a spot in the Round of 32.

Ghana also have a tough group alongside England and Croatia. However, they know a draw against one of those two means that a win against Panama will likely be enough for the Round of 32. They will fancy their chances.