The 2026 FIFA World Cup marks a turning point for African football. With the tournament expanding from 32 to 48 teams, the African continent is enjoying unprecedented representation on football’s biggest stage.
Ten African nations qualified for this year’s World Cup: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tunisia, Algeria, Ghana and Cape Verde.
In last week’s opening match against Mexico – one of three host nations along with the United States and Canada – South Africa faced a huge challenge in front of one of the largest crowds of the tournament.
Although Mexico won 2–0, the South Africa national football team, nicknamed Bafana Bafana, meaning “The Boys” in isiZulu, struggled to move on from their 2010 World Cup legacy.
The 2010 tournament in South Africa – the first World Cup held on the African continent – remains historic, despite the country becoming the first host nation to be eliminated in the group stage.
However, not all was in favor of South Africa in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup last Thursday. Many supported Mexico amid long-running outrage over recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
“We came here with ambitions, high expectations,” Côte d’Ivoire coach Aimers Fay said after the Elephants’ dramatic 1-0 win over Ecuador.
Striker Sébastien Haller, one of the most important figures in the Elephants’ squad, known for his strength, aerial ability and finishing, played a key role in Côte d’Ivoire’s victory at the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.
Morocco have transformed from outsiders to real contenders after their historic 2022 semi-final. With players like Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz back, the Atlas Lions made a statement by earning a 1-1 draw against Brazil in their first 2026 World Cup match on Saturday.
And with Ghana yet to play their first match against Panama, there will be hopes a new generation around midfielder Mohammed Qudus can restore the Black Stars’ reputation.
Drama in Tunisia’s first match
There was more drama in the early matches ahead: Egypt drew 1–1 with Belgium, with all eyes once again on forward and team captain Mohamed Salah.
Tunisia had a difficult start and lost 5–1 to Sweden.
“This is football and the result decides everything,” Tunisia head coach Sabri Lamouchi said after the match. The defeat led to his immediate dismissal, making him the first coach in World Cup history to be dismissed after only one match.
Meanwhile, Cape Verde produced what many football fans describe as one of the highlights of the tournament when veteran goalkeeper Vozinha stopped European champions Spain, even though an expensive travel bond prevented his mother from attending.
“We are all happy because we worked very hard to get here. We deserve to be here,” Vozinha said. In the hours after the match, his Instagram followers increased from 50,000 to more than 6 million.
France vs Senegal: Francophone derby
Tuesday’s bitter clash between France and Senegal, which France won 3-1, has a deep historical meaning: Senegal was a French colony until gaining independence in 1960, and relations between the two countries remain complex.
France–Senegalese relations are linked through language, education, trade and migration, but are also shaped by the legacy of colonialism and the struggle for independence.
France remains one of Senegal’s major economic partners, with close ties in areas such as infrastructure, investment, energy and trade, while migration between the two countries has created large Senegalese communities in France.
Senegalese players such as Kalidou Koulibaly, who was born in France to Senegalese parents, and Edouard Mendy, who also has Senegalese heritage and grew up in France, reflect the shared history between the two countries.
Others, such as Sadio Mané, built careers at international level, representing Senegal’s identity and football ambitions.
And many of France’s biggest football stars, including Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Aurelien Tchoumen, Dayot Upamecano and Michel Olisse, are of African descent.
Ousmane Sonko, Speaker of the National Assembly of Senegal and former Prime Minister, summarized it this way: “Whichever team wins, it will be Africa that has defeated Africa.”
Back after 50 years: DR Congo’s leopards
Taking on Portugal in their opener on Wednesday, DR Congo’s Leopards are back for the first time since the 1974 World Cup, led by a new generation including stars like Yoane Wissa.
The team attracted attention even before playing a single match with one of the most distinctive arrival looks of the tournament: leopard-patterned tailored suits, with matching leopard-inspired bags. The outfits were designed by Congolese designer Alvin Mak.
DR Congo also has possibly the most famous football supporter: Michel Nkuka Mboldinga, known as “Lumumba”, instantly recognizable due to his distinctive appearance.
Lumumba wore a bright blue, red and yellow suit matching the colors of the Congolese flag, with a hairstyle and glasses that closely resembled those of Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of independent Congo.
His unique match day ritual, standing almost motionless during the game, reminds many of the Lumumba statue in Kinshasa. Mboldinga says his silent presence is a way of supporting the team: “I remain still to give strength to the team, to give energy to the players,” he told The Associated Press.
While African teams are celebrating their biggest-ever World Cup attendance, the tournament has also highlighted wider issues beyond the pitch.
The US State Department completely or partially suspended the issuance of travel visas to 39 countries, including Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, which are competing in the World Cup.
Somali referee Omar Artan was set to make history as the first Somali official to referee a men’s World Cup. However, the Trump administration said he was denied entry to the United States because of his ties to “suspected members of terrorist organizations.”
A spokesman for governing body FIFA told German press agency dpa that African Referee of the Year 2025 will receive his full tournament fee despite not officiating in any matches.
However, this does not diminish the excitement surrounding the tournament – and the passion with which fans support their teams, even from a distance.
Edited by: Keith Walker