African Teams Learn Their Opponents for the 2026 World Cup

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The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took place on Friday in Washington, D.C., USA, where Africa’s nine qualified teams found out who they will face in the group stage.

The event was held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In total, 48 teams were placed into 12 groups of four. They will compete across the USA, Canada and Mexico for the world title.

South Africa, returning to the World Cup for the first time since hosting it in 2010, will play Mexico in the opening match on 11 June. They will also face South Korea and the winner of European Playoff D, which includes Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia and Ireland.

In Group C, Morocco — the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022 — will meet five-time champions Brazil, as well as Haiti and Scotland.

Tunisia, Morocco’s North African rivals, are in Group F with the Netherlands, Japan and the winner of European Playoff B (Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, or Albania).

Egypt, the continent’s most successful national team with seven AFCON titles, are in Group G with Belgium, Iran and New Zealand.

Cape Verde, the smallest African nation ever to qualify, will compete in Group H against Spain, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

Senegal are placed in Group I, where they will face France, Norway and the winner of Intercontinental Playoff 2 (Bolivia, Suriname or Iraq).

Algeria will take on defending world champions Argentina in Group J, as well as Austria and Jordan, who are making their World Cup debut.

Ghana, set for their fifth appearance, will play England, Croatia and Panama in Group L.

Reigning African champions Ivory Coast are in Group E with Germany, Curaçao and Ecuador.

DR Congo will join Group K if they win Intercontinental Playoff 1 (Jamaica, New Caledonia or DR Congo). Group K also includes Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.

The 2026 World Cup will run from 11 June to 19 July.

GROUPS

Group A
Mexico
South Africa
South Korea
European Playoff D (Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia, Ireland)

Group B
Canada
European Playoff A (Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales, Bosnia & Herzegovina)
Qatar
Switzerland

Group C
Brazil
Morocco
Haiti
Scotland

Group D
United States
Paraguay
Australia
European Playoff C (Türkiye, Romania, Slovakia, Kosovo)

Group E
Germany
Curaçao
Ivory Coast
Ecuador

Group F
Netherlands
Japan
European Playoff B (Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, Albania)
Tunisia

Group G
Belgium
Egypt
Iran
New Zealand

Group H
Spain
Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia
Uruguay

Group I
France
Senegal
Intercontinental Playoff 2 (Bolivia, Suriname, Iraq)
Norway

Group J
Argentina
Algeria
Austria
Jordan