There are ten African nations competing at the World Cup this summer all with dreams of going the distance and lifting the famous trophy. A team from Africa is yet to reach the tournament’s showpiece but that could change this summer with the quality of sides on the continent improving on a consistent basis. Morocco reached the semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar four years ago and that progress will act as an inspiration this time around.
If you are exploring betting options around the tournament and keen to check out the African sides taking part in the World Cup, this article will give you the lowdown on everything you need to know.
How the New Format could Aid African Countries
This World Cup is different to any that has been held before as the 2026 tournament is hosting a total of 48 nations. With an enhanced number of teams competing, this has meant more sides from Africa have qualified. A total of ten countries from the continent are playing at the World Cup. Egypt, Senegal, South Africa, Cape Verde, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana and DR Congo are the nations who did the business in qualifying. However, it was a surprise to see Cameroon and Nigeria, often regulars at the tournament, miss out.
When considering your sports betting South Africa options, it’s important to consider that the greater number of teams means the likes of Morocco and Senegal have a greater chance of progressing. Before, the competition saw 32 side split into eight groups of four with the top two each advancing. However now, the 48 countries are competing across twelve groups of four. While the top two still go through, so too do the eight best third-placed sides, improving the chances of African sides managing to reach the Last 32 of the World Cup.
Which Nations are Considered Dark Horses?
Morocco have been tipped to impress at this summer’s World Cup. In the same group as Brazil, Achraf Hakimi and Co should advance and could spring a surprise on some big nations, just as they did when they knocked out Portugal and Spain to reach the semi-finals in Qatar.
Senegal who reached the African Cup of Nations final this year, are another country who many pundits, fans and observers believe could cause a few upsets this summer with players like Sadio Mane, Kalidou Koulibaly and Idrissa Gana Gueye boasting huge experience on the international stage.
If you are assessing sides before sports betting South Africa online, Egypt are another side who boast quality with forward Mohamed Salah, who has just left Liverpool as a club legend, capable of scoring against the best defences on the planet. Ivory Coast, meanwhile, may not be as strong as the days when The Elephants had Didier Drogba upfront but the team are still capable of progressing to the Last 16.
What about the Rest?
Tunisia are considered one of the stronger African nations competing at the World Cup but facing the Netherlands and Japan is a tough task while Sweden could also prove difficult. Algeria will come up against world champions Argentina and Lionel Messi but could go through with Austria and Jordan the other opponents in Group J.
Spain and Uruguay are the favourites to take the top two spots in Group H and so Cape Verde may have to beat Saudi Arabia to have any chance of progressing. DR Congo will have to get the better of Portugal or Colombia if they hope to advance to the Last 32 while Ghana were unlucky to draw England and Croatia, two of the strongest European countries at this summer’s finals. South Africa being drawn against hosts Mexico, South Korea and Czech Republic means Bafana Bafana may also have a hard time getting out of the group phase.
The African Players in the Running for the Golden Boot
While Harry Kane, Lionel Messi and Erling Haaland are among the outright favourites to score the most goals at the World Cup and land the Golden Boot, Mohamed Salah is the African player most fancied. The Egypt frontman has scored more than 330 club goals while netting 67 times in 116 appearances for his country.
Morocco playmaker Ismael Saibari scores at a rate of just over one goal every three games for the Atlas Lions and is also considered one of the names that could top the Golden Boot rundown with Scotland and Haiti to play in the group.
Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich, scored six goals in nine games for Senegal in 2025 and will lead the line for the Lions of Teranga this summer. The centre forward is another African striker being considered to top the overall scoring charts.
Summing Up
Overall, when it comes to wagering on African sides at the World Cup, teams like Senegal, Egypt and Morocco are each capable of beating the likes of Brazil, Argentina, England, Portugal and Spain and so it’s wise to assess the squads before making a judgement call.