Nine African nations are on course to secure direct qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, according to projections based on their performances in the ongoing qualifiers.
The expanded World Cup, set to take place in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, will see Africa’s automatic qualification slots increase from five to nine, with an additional team potentially advancing through an intercontinental playoff.
The nations currently projected to qualify are:
Egypt
Senegal
South Africa
Cameroon
Morocco
Ivory Coast
Algeria
Tunisia
Ghana
These teams have shown strong form in the qualifiers, with dominant performances placing them atop their respective groups. Reigning African champions Ivory Coast and 2022 World Cup semifinalists Morocco remain favorites to secure their spots, while Senegal and Egypt continue to impress with consistent displays.
Ghana, currently leading Group I, is also in a strong position to return to the World Cup after missing out on the 2018 edition but featuring in Qatar 2022. South Africa, who last appeared in the World Cup as hosts in 2010, are on track to make a return to the global stage.
The qualification campaign will resume later this year, with teams vying to confirm their places at the expanded tournament, which will feature 48 nations for the first time in history.
