Fact files of 10 African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19:
ALGERIA
Fixtures: June 16 - Argentina, June 22 - Jordan, June 27 - Austria
World ranking: 28
Key player: Riyad Mahrez, winger
Coach: Vladimir Petkovic (BIH)
World Cup appearances: 1982, 1986, 2010 - all 1st rd, 2014 - last 16
World Cup record: P13 W3 D3 L7 F13 A19
Popular name: Desert Foxes
CAPE VERDE
Fixtures: June 15 - Spain, June 21 - Uruguay, June 26 - Saudi Arabia
World ranking: 69
Key player: Logan Costa, defender
Coach: Bubista (CPV)
World Cup appearance: Debut
Popular name: Blue Sharks
DR CONGO
Fixtures: June 17 - Portugal, June 23 - Colombia, June 27 - Uzbekistan
World ranking: 46
Key player: Chancel Mbemba, defender
Coach: Sebastien Desabre (FRA)
World Cup appearance: 1974 - 1st rd
World Cup record: P3 W0 D0 L3 F0 A14
Popular name: Leopards
EGYPT
Fixtures: June 15 - Belgium, June 21 - New Zealand, June 26 - Iran
World ranking: 29
Key player: Mohamed Salah, forward
Coach: Hossam Hassan (EGY)
World Cup appearances: 1934, 1990, 2018 - all 1st rd
World Cup record: P7 W0 D2 L5 F5 A12
Popular name: Pharaohs
GHANA
Fixtures: June 17 - Panama, June 23 - England, June 27 - Croatia
World ranking: 74
Key player: Antoine Semenyo, forward
Coachr: Carlos Queiroz (POR)
World Cup appearances: 2006 - 1ast 16, 2010 - quarterfinals, 2014, 2022 - both 1st rd
World Cup record: P14 W5 D3 L7 F18 A23
Popular name: Black Stars
IVORY COAST
Fixtures: June 14 - Ecuador, June 20 - Germany, June 25 - Curacao
World ranking: 34
Key player: Yan Diomande, forward
Coach: Emerse Fae (CIV)
World Cup appearances: 2006, 2010, 2014 - all 1st rd
World Cup record: P9 W3 D1 L5 F13 A14
Popular name: Elephants
MOROCCO
Fixtures: June 13 - Brazil, June 19 - Scotland, June 24 - Haiti
World ranking: 8
Key player: Achraf Hakimi, defender
Coach: Mohamed Ouahbi (MAR)
World Cup appearances: 1970 - 1st rd, 1986 - last 16, 1994, 1998, 2018 - all 1st rd, 2022 - semifinals
World Cup record: P23 W5 D7 L11 F20 A27
Popular name: Atlas Lions
SENEGAL
Fixtures: June 16 - France, June 22 - Norway, June 26 - Iraq
World ranking: 14
Key player: Sadio Mane, forward
Coach: Pape Thiaw (SEN)
World Cup appearances: 2002 - quarterfinals, 2018 - 1st rd, 2022 - last 16
World Cup record: P12 W5 D3 L4 F16 A17
Popular name: Teranga Lions
SOUTH AFRICA
Fixtures: June 11 - Mexico, June 18 - Czech Republic, June 24 - South Korea
World ranking: 60
Key player: Oswin Appollis, winger
Coach: Hugo Broos (BEL)
World Cup appearances: 1998, 2002, 2010 - all 1st rd
World Cup record: P9 W2 D3 L4 F11 A16
Popular name: Bafana Bafana (The Boys)
TUNISIA
Fixtures: June 14 - Sweden, June 20 - Japan, June 25 - Netherlands
World ranking: 44
Kay player: Elias Achouri, winger
Coach: Sabri Lamouchi (FRA)
World Cup appearances: 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022 - all 1st rd
World Cup record: P18 W3 D5 L10 F14 A26
Popular name: Carthage Eagles
--------------------------------
Where to watch the FIFA World Cup 2026™
Fans can watch every FIFA World Cup 2026™ match live on DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Family and Access. All matches are also available to stream on supported packages, ensuring flexible viewing options wherever you are.
DStv Stream Access starts from R99 per month, while those with a decoder can watch DStv Access from R150 per month.
How to stream the FIFA World Cup 2026™
With DStv Stream, you can follow every match anytime, anywhere. Download the app and enjoy seamless live streaming on the go.

