The 2026 FIFA World Cup has given African football a platform unlike any before. With the tournament expanded to 48 teams, ten African sides qualified — and now, with two matchdays played, we can see which teams are living up to their promise and which are struggling.
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Morocco have been the standout African side so far. They opened with a 1-1 draw against Brazil — a performance that immediately signalled their quality — before beating Scotland 1-0 in matchday 2. They sit top of Group C ahead of Brazil, with a perfect blend of defensive solidity and attacking intent. The leadership of Achraf Hakimi and Yassine Bounou remains central to everything they do. Morocco are no longer a surprise — they are a genuine threat.
Few teams have entered a World Cup with lower expectations and left matchday 1 with more respect. DR Congo’s 1-1 draw with Portugal turned heads, and not just because of the quality of the opponent. The performance showed genuine attacking threat and tactical discipline. Their second group game, against Colombia, takes place today (June 23) and will be crucial in determining whether they can seriously challenge for a knockout berth. With Uzbekistan still to come, the route is there if they perform.
For followers of football betting, DR Congo has become one of the more intriguing teams to track — expectations remain modest, but the performances suggest they could go further than many anticipated.
Senegal are on the brink of elimination. A 3-1 opening loss to France was followed by a 3-2 defeat to Norway in matchday 2, leaving them bottom of Group I with no points. The squad has quality — Nicolas Jackson, Ismaila Sarr, and Kalidou Koulibaly are names any team would welcome — but the results have not reflected that. Their final group game against Iraq is now a must-win, and even then they will need results elsewhere to go their way. Time is running out.
As the reigning African Cup of Nations champions, Ivory Coast arrived with credibility. They backed it up with a composed 1-0 win over Ecuador in their opener, but were brought back to earth with a 2-1 defeat to Germany in matchday 2. They still have a chance to progress, but their final group game will need to deliver. The squad may lack household names, but the mental toughness shown in recent years under their current setup means they should never be underestimated.
Egypt have been one of the more pleasant surprises among African sides. After drawing 1-1 with Belgium in matchday 1, they bounced back convincingly to beat New Zealand 3-1 in matchday 2. That win has given them real momentum heading into a decisive third game against Iran. Their defensive structure remains solid, and while Mohamed Salah’s influence remains key, the team has shown it can function as a collective rather than relying solely on its superstar.
Algeria were considered by many to have the highest ceiling among the group of African outsiders, with a squad full of players competing in major European leagues. But a 3-0 defeat to Argentina in their opener was a significant blow. Their second match against Jordan (June 22) came after press time, and they still face Austria in the final matchday. Qualification is still mathematically possible, but they will need a sharp improvement from their opening performance to achieve it.
South Africa’s return to the World Cup started with a 2-0 defeat to hosts Mexico, but they recovered to earn a 1-1 draw against Czechia in matchday 2. That point may prove important. They still need to play South Korea in their final group game, and a win could realistically see them through, depending on other results. The squad is showing signs of genuine progress, even if the margin for error is now slim.
If one African team has captured the imagination of the 2026 World Cup, it is Cape Verde. Their goalkeeper Vozinha became a viral sensation after keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw with Spain in matchday 1. That result alone was extraordinary. A 2-2 draw against Uruguay in matchday 2 has kept them in contention for the knockout rounds. The team benefits from lower expectations and plays with a freedom that harder-fancied sides cannot replicate. Whether they advance or not, they have already exceeded every reasonable prediction.
For sports betting, Cape Verde and teams like them are exactly why World Cups remain so unpredictable — a draw, a late save, or a viral goalkeeper can shift the entire conversation overnight.
Ghana began with a gutsy 1-0 win over Panama, secured by a 95th-minute goal from 20-year-old Caleb Yirenkyi — a moment that immediately made him a talking point of the tournament. Their second group game against England is taking place today (June 23) and will give a much clearer picture of their ambitions. A squad built around energy and youthful talent, Ghana could be a tricky team for anyone in the knockout rounds if they get there.
Tunisia became the first African side to be knocked out of the 2026 World Cup, and the manner of their exit was brutal. They conceded five goals to Sweden in matchday 1, then lost 4-0 to Japan in matchday 2, shipping nine goals in total. There is little to say in mitigation — the performances were simply not good enough at this level. Their tournament is over.
The expanded World Cup has given African football more chances than ever to make a mark, and several sides are doing exactly that. Morocco look capable of a deep run. Cape Verde and Egypt have been genuine surprises. Ghana and DR Congo remain very much in the hunt. The continent’s influence on this tournament is growing — and with a full matchday 3 still to come, there is every reason to keep watching.
