As we near the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, the hope of many African enthusiasts is a better campaign for the continent than the Qatar 2022 edition, where the Atlas Lions did one better for the continent by finishing fourth.

With 10 African nations in the 48-team expanded tournament, the quest is all the more pressing for the continent. But with about half of Africa’s representatives already facing daunting and near-insurmountable odds, where exactly does the hope come from? 

Certainly from Senegal and Morocco. The redoubtable African status of the 2025 AFCON finalists isn’t without cause, as they possess arguably the most talented and balanced squads of their fold, and with a proven track record of results.

Morocco’s Atlas Lions

After their record-breaking run in 2022, the expectation for the Atlas Lions is a run deep into the knockout stage in North America. And perhaps what sets them apart from most of their African peers with decent enough squads is exactly that: expectations. This is a team that parted ways with coach Walid Regragui, the architect of their historic semi-final run at the last Mundial, and who technically won them the AFCON 2025 (subject to Senegal’s appeal outcome, of course). Now under a relatively new manager in Mohamed Ouahbi, much hasn’t really changed with Morocco’s setup; they are still the side that won’t dazzle you, but are resilient to the end.

Their group, featuring five-time champions Brazil, Scotland and Haiti, looks a bit dicey, but with the core of their squad now featuring Brahim Diaz, alongside the team leaders like Achraf Hakimi, Sofyan Amrabat, Yassine Bounou, Adam Ezzalzouli and exciting prospect Ayyoub Bouaddi, Morocco looks well-equipped to make another meaningful run. 

Senegal’s Teranga Lions

It’s quite unfortunate that Senegal found themselves in the group of death, comprising France, Norway and Iraq. But then again, if there’s any African side that can navigate their way out of death’s hands, it’s got to be the Teranga Lions.

The 2021 African champions enjoyed one of the most seamless transitions, with Papa Thiaw’s takeover from Aliou Cissé already yielding results that ended in them winning AFCON 2025, before it was snatched from their hands, at least for now. The squad’s core is also one of the continent’s strongest, with a backbone of veterans like captain Kalidou Koulibaly, talisman Sadio Mané, and Edouard Mendy, while younger stars like Ismaila Sarr and Ibrahim Mbaye provide equally dependable support. 

Given that France is expected to be a mountain for them — as they will be for virtually every team in the world — one can still fancy Senegal’s chances even against Norway. The Europeans, despite possessing arguably the fiercest striker in the world in Erling Haaland, aren’t much of a complete side outside of him, and this is a team that’s just returning to the Mundial in 2026 after all.

It goes without saying that Africans can well expect a deep run from the Teranga Lions also. But outside them and the Atlas Lions? Côte d’Ivoire and the North African contingents of Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria are the names being raised. And frankly, these aren’t far off in terms of talent.

The Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire

2023 African champions Côte d’Ivoire, for one, do have a well-rounded side helmed by captain Franck Kessié, alongside an exciting cast that includes Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, RB Leipzig youngster Yan Diomande, Evan Ndicka, Seko Fofana and AFCON 2023 hero Simon Adingra. 

The Emerse Faé-led Elephants made it to Group H of the 2026 World Cup, emerging as unbeaten group winners in their qualifiers and without conceding a goal. They’ll face Ecuador, Germany and Curaçao in what will be their first World Cup appearance in 12 years.

Looking at the obstacles they face in Germany and Ecuador, particularly, the Elephants do have their work cut out for them, and their history in the competition doesn’t inspire much confidence, as they have failed to make it past the group stage in their previous three outings since their debut at Germany’s 2006 edition.

Like Côte d’Ivoire, like Algeria: the Desert Foxes are returning to the world stage for the first time since the 2014 edition. But unlike their African counterparts, there is not as much standout individual talent within the squad to inspire confidence. Though the Foxes have had a decent pre-tournament run, avoiding defeats in four outings, including holding Uruguay to a draw and defeating the Netherlands and Bolivia, their last competitive run at AFCON 2025 remains an important relevant reference point of being unreliable until they prove otherwise. They’ll be squaring off against defending champions Argentina, Jordan and Austria in Group J, looking to make their second appearance in the World Cup round of 16.

The less said about Egypt, who despite having three World Cup appearances, has failed to win a single match at the tournament, the better. But with Mohamed Salah still leading the line, now joined by Omar Marmoush, and a relatively favourable group ( where they’ll face Belgium, New Zealand, and Iran) compared to some of their continental counterparts, there remains a slim chance that they could finally break that unwanted record. 

That leaves us with Tunisia, who, despite their stellar qualifier run, do not offer much encouragement for Africa’s hopes. Returning for their third successive World Cup and sixth overall appearance, second only to Cameroon’s eight on the continent, the Eagles of Carthage have never progressed beyond the group stage. This edition looks even more challenging when one considers their relative coaching instability. Current boss Sabri Lamouchi is the fifth coach, including interim appointments, to lead the side from qualification to the World Cup itself.

They will face Sweden, Japan and the Netherlands in Group I, a draw that offers little margin for error. That, in many ways, speaks to the expectations on the Eagles of Carthage and, indeed, for the rest of Africa, looking beyond Morocco and Senegal.