Draw World Cup 2026: Which groups for African nations?

The 4 pots unveiled by FIFA

At the end of the intercontinental play-offs, 6 teams will validate their ticket for the 2026 World Cup. Well before these decisive matches that will be held in Mexico in March 2026, FIFA will proceed with the draw of the group phase. Since November 26, 2025, the international body has unveiled the 4 hats.

Morocco and Senegal, the two African teams best positioned in the FIFA ranking, respectively 11th and 19th, are in pot 2.

Pot 1: Canada, Mexico, United States, Spain, Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany

Pot 2: Croatia, Morocco, Colombia, Uruguay, Switzerland, Japan, Senegal, Iran, Republic of Korea, Ecuador, Austria, Australia

Pot 3: Norway, Panama, Egypt, Algeria, Scotland, Paraguay, Tunisia, Ivory Coast, Uzbekistan, Qatar, South Africa

Pot 4: Jordan, Cape Verde, Ghana, Curacao, Haiti, New Zealand, winners of the European play-offs A, B, C and D, winners of the FIFA Play-off Tournament 1 and 2

The worst and best draws for the African teams

According to the last FIFA ranking published in November, the pots for the draw of the group phase of the 2026 World Cup have been constituted. African nations with the highest rankings, Morocco and Senegal can have an easy or difficult group given the opponents. 

By simulation, Morocco can shoot Belgium, New Zealand and Haiti. There, it’s a very affordable draw for the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists. They could experience worse. They could fall into a pool with Spain, Norway from Erling Haaland and Jordan. 

For an affordable draw for Senegal, the Lions could face France, Qatar and Curacao in the first round. In case of a strong draw, Sadio Mané and his team could challenge Germany, Paraguay and Jordan. 

Generally, the teams in pot 3 fall into difficult groups. But, the spell could also be clement. The Egypt of Mohamed Salah could fall on heavy with Brazil, South Korea and New Zealand. As an easy draw, we could have the Netherlands, Austria and Curaçao. 

Back at the World Cup, Algeria could face France, Ecuador and Haiti as an affordable draw. But, the Fennecs could have worse with Argentina, Switzerland and Jordan. 

As the worst draw, Tunisia would face England, Uruguay and New Zealand. As an affordable print run, Tunisia, Portugal, Austria, Haiti. 

Absent from the World Cup since 2014, Côte d'Ivoire is making a comeback. The Elephants, reigning African champions, could play in the first round against Germany, Colombia and Panama, as the worst draw. An affordable print run would be Mexico, Australia and Curacao.

South Africa returns to the World Cup after 16 years of waiting. Its last participation dates back to 2010, the edition at which it was the host country. Under the coach Hugo Broos, the Bafana Bafana have returned to the front of the stage. In the first round at the 2026 World Cup, they could play Spain, Croatia and Jordan. It will be a difficult group. For a more or less easy hen, South Africans could meet Mexico, Australia and New Zealand. 

Housed in pot 4, Ghana and Cape Verde will, at 99%, pull heavy in the first round. For their 5th participation in the World Cup, the Ghanaian team is expected to do better than the elimination in the first round in 2022. For this, the Black Stars must keep their fingers crossed for a lenient draw. What could be confrontations with Canada, Austria and Panama. Ghana can also pull heavy with Argentina, Japan and Uzbekistan.

Cape Verde will discover the World Cup next year. In pot 4, the Blue Sharks should fall into a hyper-complicated group. They could challenge France, South Korea and Norway. As a lenient draw, Ryan Mendes and his teammates could play against the United States, Ecuador and Qatar.