Which CAF Side Will Do The Best at the World Cup?

Which CAF Side Will Do The Best at the World Cup?

Which CAF Side Will Do The Best at the World Cup

The World Cup 2026 promises to be the biggest ever, and not just numerically. A grand total of 48 teams will be competing this time round, a seismic upgrade from the traditional 32 we are used to. This time, 9 countries from the CAF region have already got their plane tickets.

Morocco, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Ghana, South Africa, and Cape Verde all have their spots solidified for the summer, with DR Congo potentially joining them as they are set to fight for their spot through the inter-confederation playoffs in March.

Let's take a look at the CAF sides at length, their journey to the World Cup, and which sides will be the ones to keep a close eye on.

Cape Verde

Cape Verde are placed in Group H alongside Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. This group promises to be exciting, with Spain being the holders of the European Championship. Cape Verde failed to qualify for the most recent instalment of the AFCON, however they topped their World Cup qualification by 4 points, edging past African Giants Cameroon who failed to qualify.

Former Manchester United prodigy Bebé is the star man for Cape Verde, and now 35-years old, timing suggests this will be his one and only chance at playing in the World Cup.

With Cape Verde's group being somewhat of a "group of death", they may look to make it through to the knockouts as a third placed team. This is the first time Cape Verde have qualified for the World Cup. Qualifying is a fantastic achievement in itself, but going further than the group stage would be a dream come true for the nation.

Tunisia

Tunisia are placed in Group F with Netherlands and Japan, with the fourth spot of the group yet to be decided.

A regular, Tunisia have qualifeid seven times for the FIFA World Cup, although they have never made it past the group stage. Tunisia crashed out of AFCON 2026 in the Round of 16, losing to Mali on penalties, however they steamrolled their World Cup qualification group, topping it by a gargantuan 13 points and going unbeaten in the process.

Their most notable player is former Man United youth product Hannibal Mejbri who currently plays his football with Premier League outlet Burnley. Mejbri provided 2 assists for Tunisia in the AFCON.

Away from European stars, the Tunisian first division is one of the biggest leagues in Africa, boasting sides that have tasted CAF Champions League glory. Espérance de Tunis are one of the biggest clubs in Africa, and recently competed in the FIFA Club World Cup. With a large portion of their squad playing their football in Tunisia, they look to be more than just participants this time round.

Egypt

Egypt are gearing up for their fourth appearance in the World Cup this summer, with their last appearance coming in 2018. After crashing out of the AFCON in dramatic fashion to Senegal in the semi-finals, they will now be setting their sights on revenge at the world stage.

Their squad needs no introduction, and after heartbreak in the AFCON despite electric performances from Mohamed Salah, this looks to be the Egyptian's last chance at glory with his nation. Sitting in Group G with Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand, the Pharaohs have a better chance than ever to qualify for the knockout rounds.

Algeria

Algeria are in Group J alongside Austria, Jordan, and the current holders Argentina. Algeria went out of the AFCON in the quarter finals to Nigeria. In terms of World Cup qualification, the side were dominant in their group, topping it by 7 points. This is set to be Algeria's fifth appearance at the World Cup, with their last appearance being in 2014.

A large portion of Algeria's team play their football in Europe, with the likes of Ismaël Bennacer, Man City's Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Leverkusen's young prodigy Ibrahim Maza all having crucial roles in the side. On top of this, Algeria are led by Premier League legend Riyad Mahrez, who now plays his football in Saudi Arabia with Al Ahli.

Now 34-years old, this looks to be the last time Riyad Mahrez will represent his country in a tournament. Perhaps we can see some Mahrez magic one last time this summer!

Morocco

Morocco came second in the AFCON, losing in extra time to Senegal in one of the most captivating finals in footballing history. As the aftermath dwindles, and things return to normality, Morocco will be setting their sights on their seventh World Cup appearance.

In the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Morocco made history, becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals of the tournament. They defeated Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the quarter-finals, before crashing out to France narrowly in the semi-finals.

The Atlas Lions are angry, and they have revenge on their minds. After lifting the Arab Cup in December, the side feel they were robbed of an AFCON title in front of their home fans. The squad is stronger than ever, boasting the likes of Achraf Hakimi and Real Madrid's Brahim Diaz. Defensive solidity is the staple of their football, with the side only conceding 2 goals all AFCON, with only one coming from open play.

All eyes will be on Morocco as they join Group C alongside Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland, looking to cause chaos on the grandest stage of them all yet again.

Senegal

The AFCON champions are placed in Group I with France and Norway, with the fourth team still to be decided.

Fresh off continental victory, the Lions of Teranga are as strong as ever. This will be the fourth time the nation have played in the World Cup. Senegal reached the quarter finals in 2002, and they crashed out in the Round of 16 in 2022.

Sadio Mané cemented his name in history as one of Africa's greatest ever players after lifting his second AFCON trophy as captain of Senegal this year. Now 33-years old, this could be his last appearance for the side in a tournament. Senegal are a force to be reckoned with, and if their AFCON prowess is anything to go by, then expect surpsies from both the team and their fans alike.

Senegal are a side brimming with confidence, and the sky is the limit for the side. Embraced by experience as well as laced with young exciting talent, perhaps we could see the Lions of Teranga go further than ever before this summer.

Ivory Coast

The Elephants enter the World Cup for the fourth time in their history, sitting in Group E with Germany, Ecuador, and Curaçao. Winners of the AFCON in 2024, Ivory Coast were eliminated by Egypt in the quarter-finals in Morocco in the recent AFCON tournament.

Ivory Coast is famous for producing some of the most exciting players to ever grace Europe, with the likes of Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba lifting Champions League titles. An African heavyweight, the Elephants have never made it past the group stages of the World Cup.

Their squad is strong, with the likes of Amad Diallo, Yan Diomande and Franck Kessie all being stalwarts. The nation can fancy their chances to qualify to the knockout rounds for the first time, with Germany looking like the only team that could seriously challenge them in Group E.

Ghana

In a series of calamitous and unexpected events, Ghana failed to qualify for the recent instalment of the AFCON. However, they topped their World Cup qualification group by 6 points, and recent upturns in form suggest they won't just be there to take part. Placed in Group L alongside England, Croatia, and Panama, the group promises to provide excitement.

Ghana's most famous World Cup run came in South Africa in 2010 where they reached the quarter-finals. The Black Stars lost to Uruguay in dishonourable fashion, with Uruguay's Luis Suarez stopping a Ghana goal with his hand in the dying embers of the game. This prompted a penalty for Ghana, and unfortunately Sunderland's Asamoah Gyan blazed it over the bar.

History aside, when looking at Ghana's current team, one would be foolish to not fancy Ghana's chances at making the knockout rounds. Manchester City star Antoine Semenyo, who has set the Premier League on fire in recent years, spearheads the attack alongside Tottenham's Mohammed Kudus. Veteran Jordan Ayew leads the line for the Black Stars, while the experienced Thomas Partey marshals the midfield.

Ghana will not go down without a fight, desperate to restore some respect into the nation's footballing prowess after embarrasment on the continental stage, the Black Stars promise to put on a show on the world stage.

South Africa

South Africa are in Group A alongside South Korea and one of the hosts, Mexico. The fourth team in the group is yet to be decided.

The side qualified for the World Cup comfortably through their qualifying group and this will be their fourth appearance at the tournament, and their first since they hosted the competition in 2010, becoming the first African nation to do so.

Bafana Bafana have become a footballing nation reborn in recent years, reaching the 2024 AFCON semi-finals. Unfortunately, the 2026 AFCON saw them eliminated in the round of 16 to Cameroon. South Africa will be involved in the tournament opener against Mexico, almost cinematically, this is a repeat of the 2010 World Cup opener.

South Africans can look on at the World Cup with immense optimism as the side is brimming with continental talent. Captain Ronwen Williams became the first goalkeeper to be nominated for the Yashin trophy while playing his football in Africa after his heroics in the 2024 Afcon.

It is also worth noting that South African team Mamelodi Sundowns are one of the most decorated clubs in the continent, and they also featured in the FIFA Club World Cup, going toe-to-toe with Borussia Dortmund and narrowly losing.

A large portion of the Bafana squad plays their club football with Mamelodi Sundowns, meaning a lot of the players have already had a taste for tournament football in the USA. This experience is invaluable. Accompany this with Premier League striker Lyle Foster, and young prodigy Mohau Nkota who plays with Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq, it's clear they aren't just here to make up the numbers.

South Africa are famous for hosting one of the best World Cups of all time, and it's testament to the legends of the nation that they are once again competing on the world stage.

So dust off your vuvuzelas, because Bafana are back in town!

Are CAF About to Shock the World?

When you stack up the groups, weigh the firepower in each squad, and factor in World Cup pedigree, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Ghana, and South Africa look primed to punch their tickets to the knockout rounds. They have the structure, the star quality, and perhaps most importantly, the belief.

However, the thing about the World Cup is that, logic only takes you so far.

This tournament has always been a theatre of chaos, a stage where reputations crumble, underdogs rise, and entire nations find heroes in a single, unforgettable moment. With 48 teams stepping into the arena, the margin for magic has never been greater.

African football has previously been heavily backed by it's own, and African teams don’t travel to World Cups to make up the numbers. The teams travels with an unbeatable rhythm, resilience, and a point to prove. If history has taught us anything, it’s that when the world underestimates CAF, that’s when it should be watching most closely.

The knockouts may favour the usual suspects on paper, but under the lights, with millions watching? Expect fireworks.

Arthur Turner
Arthur Turner CAF Football Analyst & Writer

Arthur Turner

Arthur is a writer at The Football Park, where he primarily focuses on African football and CAF competitions. Having spent a decade living in South Africa, he developed a deep passion for the continent’s game, which continues to shape his storytelling. Spotlighting emerging talents, major continental tournaments, and the cultural heartbeat of football across Africa, he provides fans with everything they need to know about African football.

Earlier in his writing career, Arthur covered the full breadth of the EFL as well as the rich, ever-evolving world of grassroots football, building a foundation in match reporting and feature writing. Arthur’s previous work also includes detailed season coverage of Chelsea FC loan players, writing extensively about rising stars such as Estevão Willian and Andrey Santos. A lifelong Chelsea fan, he brings both emotional investment and sharp insight to everything he produces.

Currently a student, Arthur blends light-hearted, fan-friendly storytelling with thoughtful tactical analysis and narrative-driven features, exploring both the technical and cultural sides of the sport with clarity and enthusiasm.

View all articles by Arthur Turner →

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