The 2026 FIFA World Cup is back. For the first time, 48 nations will play, with games spread across Canada, Mexico, and the United States starting 11 June 2026.
FIFA confirmed 1,248 players made the final squads. 891 will be World Cup debutants, 357 are coming back for another shot.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the largest and longest tournament in the event’s history running from June 11 to July 19.
Argentina is the defending champion in men’s World Cup football, having secured their third title at the tournament in Qatar.
But are African countries serious to make history by winning this years edition of World Cup or rather just escorting the traditional teams.
Africa has 10 teams this time and the teams include Algeria, Cabo Verde, DR Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia.
Africa’s best performance was at Qatar 2022 when they reached the semi-finals. This year they’re led by the same core: Achraf Hakimi’s pace at right-back, Yassine Bounou’s safe hands in goal, Sofyan Amrabat’s engine in midfield, and Brahim Díaz’s creativity.
African champions in 2021, and still dangerous. Sadio Mané gives them world-class attacking threat even as he ages. Kalidou Koulibaly anchors the defence, and Nicolas Jackson adds young energy up front.
Senegal’s mix of physicality and speed makes them tough for any group. Quarter-finals are a realistic target if they avoid injuries.
But when will Africa take world cup cup other than escorting European countries in World Cup
No African nation has ever won the FIFA Senior Men’s World Cup. Historically, the tournament has been dominated entirely by European and South American countries.
Morocco became the first and only African nation to reach the semi-finals, finishing in 4th place at the 2022 tournament in Qatar
Prior to Morocco’s run, three African teams reached the quarter-finals: Cameroon in 1990, Senegal in 2002, and Ghana in 2010
The FIFA World Cup is the most-watched sporting event globally. The 2022 tournament reached a cumulative total of 5.6 billion viewers across linear TV and streaming, with an average live audience of 175 million people per individual match
