Of the nine CAF representatives who have so far secured their places at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Algeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia all took part in the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
A 1-0 extra-time victory over tournament hosts Morocco on their home turf in Rabat saw Senegal crowned continental champions, while Egypt, who will also be in action in North America, lost the third-place play-off to Nigeria on penalties the previous day.
All of the World Cup qualifiers made it through the group stage of Africa’s flagship competition. FIFA takes a look at each of their campaigns.
South Africa the first to bow out
Despite a narrow 1-0 defeat to Egypt, Bafana Bafana cruised through the group stage, with Lyle Foster on target against Angola and Zimbabwe. But in the round of 16, they were knocked out 2-1 by Cameroon, notable absentees from the list of Africa’s World Cup qualifiers.
“Everyone is very disappointed and sad to be eliminated but our players gave it their all,” said head coach Hugo Broos. “We will carry out an in-depth assessment to see what didn’t work and what we need to change, because the World Cup is in six months and we need to be ready for that.”
Tunisia edged by Mali in round of 16
The Eagles of Carthage experienced a rollercoaster group stage, recording a 3-1 victory over Uganda, losing 3-2 to Nigeria, undone by the deadly duo of Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen who were involved in all three goals, and finishing with a 1-1 draw against Tanzania. Against Mali in the round of 16, Tunisia thought they had done enough with an 88th-minute opener but a converted penalty in stoppage time sent the match to extra time and subsequently penalties, which they lost 3-2.
“This defeat hurts a lot. We were so close to winning,” lamented head coach Sami Trabelsi, who was dismissed a few days later and has been replaced by Sabri Lamouchi.
Diallo inspires Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire leaned on a lively Amad Diallo to put together a highly creditable campaign. The Manchester United winger found the net against Mozambique and Cameroon, and while he did not score in the 3-2 victory over Gabon, he provided both a goal and an assist in the round of 16 win against Burkina Faso. The Elephants’ charge, however, came to an end in the quarter-finals, with a 3-2 defeat against Egypt.
“It’s true that we made mistakes, but you fought right to the end,” head coach Emerse Fae told the Ivorian dressing room after the defeat. “It was important that we pushed them all the way; with the World Cup just around the corner, we must be ready.”
Algeria also reach quarter-finals
Algeria won all three of their group-stage matches, inspired by an irresistible Riyad Mahrez, who scored a brace in a 3-0 win against Sudan, netted the only goal in a 1-0 victory against Burkina Faso, but was rested for the 3-1 defeat of Equatorial Guinea. In the round of 16, the Fennecs edged past Congo DR, who will contest the FIFA Play-Off Tournament in March, thanks to an Adil Boulbina goal in the 119th minute, sealing a 1-0 extra-time victory. However, they had no answer to Nigeria in the quarter-finals, going down 2-0.
“Congratulations to the Nigerian team. They played better than us,” acknowledged head coach Vladimir Petkovic, showing admirable sportsmanship. “Of course it’s disappointing, but I want to congratulate my team on their performance and on the tournament they played.”
Salah pushes Egypt to final-four run
The Pharaohs were once again able to rely on their in-form forward Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian captain scored in four matches, all of which ended in victory, but drew a blank in a 1-0 semi-final defeat to Senegal. After wins over Zimbabwe and South Africa in the group stage, the Pharaohs rotated their squad against Angola before a round-of-16 clash with Benin, which they won 3-1 after extra time.
In the quarter-finals, Omar Marmoush scored his second goal of the tournament as Egypt claimed a 3-1 victory over Côte d’Ivoire, but in the semi-finals the Egyptian attack was kept in check by Senegal, who won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Sadio Mane.
The third-place play-off against Nigeria followed a similar script, ending goalless before Egypt were beaten 4-2 on penalties. “I think my players are heroes,” coach Hossam Hassan said at the end of the tournament. “We have to acknowledge that. I’m satisfied with how my team played throughout the tournament.”
Hosts Morocco capture imagination again
Having already enjoyed a sensational 2025, Moroccan football once again captured the imagination at the Africa Cup of Nations, as the hosts came close to adding a second continental title, exactly 50 years after their first. Powered by tournament top scorer Brahim Díaz and some spectacular overhead kicks from Ayoub El Kaabi, the Atlas Lions topped their group, beating Comoros 2-0, drawing 1-1 with Mali and trouncing Zambia 3-0. In the 1-0 round of 16 victory against Tanzania, captain Achraf Hakimi provided the assist for Díaz, who was on target again as Morocco defeated Cameroon 2-0 in the quarter-finals.
Having held a Nigerian side that had found the net with ease earlier in the tournament to a goalless stalemate, Morocco won 4-2 on penalties in the semi-finals, before their 1-0 extra-time final defeat to Senegal in the decider.
Magical Mane lifts Senegal to glory
Senegal added a second continental crown to their honours, five years after lifting their first in 2021. Powered by a clinical attack, the Lions of Teranga topped their group, beating Botswana and Benin by identical 3-0 scorelines, either side of a 1-1 draw with Congo DR secured by a late equaliser from Sadio Mane. Having gone behind, Mane provided two assists to overhaul Sudan 3-1 in the round of 16, before Iliman Ndiaye struck the decisive goal in a 1-0 quarter-final win against Mali.
In the semi-finals, Mane once again made all the difference against a formidable Egyptian side, and it was as a leader that he carried Senegal to the title, sealed in a thrilling, drama-filled final by an extra-time goal from Pape Gueye.
“What matters most is that this was a celebration of football. Morocco have been waiting to win this trophy for 50 years and we came to their home turf and responded in the best possible way. We’re taking the trophy back to Senegal,” concluded goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, speaking to beIN Sports.
Can Congo DR make it ten?
Africa’s contingent could feature a tenth representative at the FIFA World Cup 2026 if DR Congo emerge victorious from the Play-Off Tournament. The Leopards looked good at the Africa Cup of Nations, reaching the round of 16 before bowing out 1-0 to Algeria at the end of extra time. In the group stage, Theo Bongonda had secured a 1-0 win over Benin, Cedric Bakambu proved decisive in a 1-1 draw with Senegal, and a brace from Gael Kakuta helped them to a 3-0 victory over Botswana.
