African teams head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup with greater belief and momentum than ever before following Morocco’s historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago, a feat that transformed global perceptions of African football.
With the tournament expanded to 48 teams and Africa represented by 10 nations, the continent enters the competition with unprecedented opportunities to make a lasting impact.
The recent Africa Cup of Nations has also provided valuable tournament experience for many of the participating teams, with eight of Africa’s representatives having recently competed together at the highest level.
As a result, expectations have shifted beyond isolated upsets and quarter-final appearances, with several African nations now harbouring realistic ambitions of producing their best-ever World Cup performances.
ESPN’s Ed Dove highlights six bold predictions for Africa’s representatives at the tournament.
Africa could produce another semi-finalist
Morocco’s run to the last four in Qatar remains one of the greatest achievements in African football history, but the Atlas Lions may not be the only team capable of reaching that stage this year.
Senegal, Ivory Coast and Algeria all possess the quality, tactical discipline and squad depth required to mount deep runs in the competition.
Senegal, crowned African champions earlier this year, boast one of the most balanced squads in the tournament, with strength across attack, midfield and defence.
Ivory Coast possess an exciting collection of attacking talent, while Algeria have the technical quality and resilience to trouble even the strongest opponents.
Morocco remain Africa’s strongest contender for another historic campaign despite concerns over injuries, but the prediction is that an African nation will reach the semi-finals for a second consecutive World Cup.
The continent may also come close to matching its all-time record for quarter-final appearances in a single tournament.
Morocco, Senegal, Ivory Coast and Algeria are among the leading candidates, while Egypt and the Democratic Republic of Congo could also emerge as surprise packages.
Egypt will fancy their chances of progressing from a group containing Iran, New Zealand and Belgium, while DR Congo return to the World Cup for the first time in 52 years with a talented squad and the tactical expertise of coach Sebastien Desabre.
Marmoush could eclipse Salah on the biggest stage
One of the tournament’s most intriguing storylines could involve Egypt’s attacking stars Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush.
While Salah remains the country’s most iconic football figure, Marmoush may emerge as Egypt’s standout performer during the competition.
At the Africa Cup of Nations, opponents frequently focused their attention on neutralising Salah, allowing Marmoush to exploit spaces with his pace and direct running.
A similar scenario could unfold at the World Cup.
Marmoush, who endured a difficult second season at Manchester City and started only eight league matches, will arrive fresh and eager to prove himself.
Salah, meanwhile, faces questions about whether he can maintain his influence at the highest level as he approaches his 34th birthday during the tournament.
Should Marmoush seize his opportunity, the competition could be remembered as the moment he established himself among football’s elite forwards.
Ivory Coast are also tipped to become one of the tournament’s most entertaining teams.
With players such as Yan Diomande, Amad Diallo, Nicolas Pépé, Bazoumana Touré and Elye Wahi, the Elephants possess one of the most exciting attacking units at the World Cup.
Combined with the fighting spirit that carried them to Africa Cup of Nations glory on home soil in 2024, Ivory Coast could easily become neutral fans’ favourites.
Another bold prediction is that Algeria may spring one of the tournament’s biggest surprises by troubling defending champions Argentina.
The North Africans have a history of raising their game against football’s heavyweights and possess the quality and confidence to challenge the South Americans.
Historic African clash could become reality
The expanded World Cup format increases the possibility of an unprecedented all-African knockout match.
With ten African teams participating and potentially several advancing beyond the group stage, the chances of two African nations facing each other are higher than ever.
A possible round-of-16 encounter between Senegal and Ivory Coast could provide a historic West African derby on the biggest stage in world football.
The new format also changes how teams approach qualification from the group stage.
With eight of the best third-placed teams progressing alongside the top two in each group, African nations no longer need major upsets against football’s traditional powers to advance.
Instead, matches against direct rivals could prove decisive.
Among the key fixtures identified as potential turning points are South Africa’s opener against Mexico, Ghana’s clash with Panama, Morocco’s meeting with Scotland, Senegal’s encounter with Norway, Egypt’s showdown with Iran and Algeria’s crucial match against Austria.
For South Africa, avoiding defeat against hosts Mexico could set the tone for a successful campaign.
Ghana’s opening match against Panama may be their most important fixture, given the presence of England and Croatia in the same group.
Morocco’s encounter with Scotland is expected to determine whether the Atlas Lions can comfortably secure qualification for the knockout rounds.
Senegal’s battle with Norway could prove decisive in the race for second place behind France, while Egypt’s meeting with Iran may shape Mohamed Salah’s international legacy.
For Algeria, a showdown with Austria could ultimately decide qualification and perhaps even top spot in Group J.
With ten teams at the tournament and greater opportunities than ever before, Africa enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup carrying genuine hopes of another landmark achievement on football’s biggest stage.
ESPN