Africa's World Cup qualifying has concluded, with nine teams earning their spot in the 2026 World Cup in North America, and four still fighting to hang on.
The qualifiers delivered a little bit of everything for football fans around the globe, including Cape Verde completing it's fairytale run into the prestigious tournament.
54 teams entered Africa's qualifying, divided into nine groups of six. Each nation played each other twice, and the nine winners have secured their place in North America.
Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria all qualified for the same World Cup for the first time ever, showcasing north Africa's rise on the global stage, and South Africa's Bafana Bafana qualified for the first time since playing host in 2010.
The best four second placed finishers in each of the nine groups will move on to a playoff. The winner of that playoff will earn a spot in the FIFA Play-off tournament for the final spots in the prestigious international tournament.
Teams that Qualified
Algeria
Algeria topped Group G with 25 points and an 8-1-1 record in qualifying. They scored 24 goals and conceded only eight, ending with a +16 goal differential. This will be Algeria's first appearance in a World Cup since 2014, and their fifth overall. Wolfsburg's Mohamed Amoura was CAF's top goal scorer in qualifying with 10 goals.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde made history by qualifying for their first ever World Cup, and are the second smallest nation to ever qualify for a World Cup with a population of roughly 520,000. They won Group D with 23 points, and finished with a 7-2-1 record. They confirmed qualification on the final day with a 3-0 win over Eswatini.
Egypt
Mohamed Salah and Egypt went undefeated in qualifying with a record of 8-2-0 for 26 points. Egypt scored 20 goals and conceded just two to finish with a +18 goal difference. Salah scored or assisted on 12 of Egypt's 20 goals. This will be Egypt's fourth World Cup in the nations history.
Ghana
Ghana won Group I with 25 points and a 8-1-1 record, six point more than the group runner up Madagascar. The Black Stars scored 23 goals and conceded six on their way to their fifth World Cup since 2006, and fifth all-time. Jordan Ayew led his nation in goals with seven.
Ivory Coast
The Ivory Coast topped Group F with 26 points with an 8-2-0 record. They are one of two teams to not concede a single goal, and had the largest goal differential of +25. 2026 will be the nations' first World Cup since 2014, and third in their history.
Morocco
Morocco were the first team to qualify for the World Cup by only playing eight matches due to Eritrea's resignation from the competition. Morocco won all eight of their games and finished with a +20 goal difference. Morocco qualified for their third straight World Cup, and had their highest ever finish in 2022 by reaching the semifinals. This will be their seventh time participating in a World Cup in their history.
Senegal
Senegal finished first in Group B with 24 points and a 7-3-0 record. They scored 22 goals and conceded just twice ending with a +19 goal difference. 2026 will be Sadio Mane and Senegal's third straight World Cup appearance.
South Africa
South Africa qualified for their first World Cup since hosting the tournament in in 2010. The 'Bafana Bafana' qualified with one point more than Nigeria and Benin with a 5-3-2 record for 18 points.
Tunisia
Tunisia qualified by winning group H. Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane scored a 94th minute goal to defeat Equatorial Guinea 1-0 to confirm qualification. They finished with a 9-1-0 record for 28 points. Tunisia were the only other team to not concede a single goal in qualifying. This is Tunisia's seventh time qualifying for a World Cup.
DR Congo
The DR Congo earned one of the final two spots in the 2026 World Cup via the Intercontinental play-off tournament. The DR Congo defeated Jamaica 1-0 to clinch World Cup qualification.
DR Congo will become the 10th African nation present in 2026, and are led Yoane Wissa, Noah Sadiki, and Aaron-Wan Bissaka.
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