Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, there’s a sense of optimism surrounding the 10 African teams that are heading to North America for the tournament. The expansion of the tournament and the new Round of 32 stage mean that several teams can potentially qualify for the knockout stage for the first time.
It might take just one win to progress, thanks to the eight best third-place teams now advancing. While the likes of Morocco and Senegal will feel confident that they can reach the knockouts once again, who are the other supposed underdogs that might be able to join them and enjoy their best finish ever at a World Cup?
South Africa
Bookmakers currently have South Africa as the least likely nation to qualify from Group A, and fans can keep one eye on how those odds change on Bettors, your daily source for South African football news and continental tournament updates. But Bafana Bafana will feel as though they can upset the odds against Mexico, South Korea, and the Czech Republic.
Two draws against Nigeria in qualifying proved to be the difference makers as South Africa finished ahead of the Super Eagles in CAF Group C. That will give Hugo Broos confidence that his team can manage similar results against their World Cup opponents – and potentially even a shock win, which might be enough to clinch a third-place spot.
For that to happen, the team needs to find greater consistency in front of goal. Although South Africa scored 15 times in qualifying, nine of those came in three wins against Rwanda, Lesotho, and Zimbabwe. If they can go in front against the Czech Republic or South Korea and then adopt a more defensive structure, that will serve them well this summer.
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Tunisia
There’s a wide consensus that Tunisia are the weakest team in Group F. Drawn alongside the Netherlands, Japan, and Sweden, it will be difficult to qualify for the knockouts, but Sabri Lamouchi’s team demonstrated in qualifying that they can grind out results.
Tunisia won nine of their 10 matches in CAF Group H, scoring 22 times without reply. Admittedly, they will face tougher competition in the coming weeks, but their defensive stability will be what they fall back on, as they make the most of counterattacks as opponents push forward.
It will be on the likes of Elias Achouri, Hazem Mastouri and others to punish defences when opportunities fall their way. If they can, Tunisia might be able to lock teams out and could finally earn a spot in the knockouts in what will be their seventh World Cup.
Côte d’Ivoire
Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré could not help Côte d’Ivoire advance to the knockouts of the World Cup between 2006 and 2014, but could Yan Diomande and Amad Diallo get them there for the first time ever? Returning to the tournament for the first time in 12 years, the expansion of the tournament means that 2026 is Les Éléphants’ best chance to finally get over the line.
Like Tunisia, Emerse Faé’s team did not concede a goal in qualifying matches. Ousmane Diomande, Evan Ndicka and others will be confident that they can frustrate Germany, Ecuador and Curaçao in Group E, although a win against the former could be unlikely.
Ecuador are also no pushovers, having finished second in CONMEBOL standings to qualify – only Argentina managed more points than La Tricolor. Nevertheless, a draw for Côte d’Ivoire in that match, along with a victory against Curaçao, might be all it takes for them to clinch a spot in the Round of 32.
