DR Congo are set to return to the FIFA World Cup for the first time in over five decades, marking a historic comeback after beating Jamiaca 1-0 in 2026 World Cup playoff.
Africa will have a record 10 teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a historic expansion of the continent’s representation at the global tournament.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) confirmed that the increase follows FIFA’s decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, up from 32 in previous editions. The new format guarantees Africa nine automatic qualification spots, with a potential tenth place through the intercontinental play-offs.
Nine African nations have already secured direct qualification, including Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, South Africa, and Cape Verde, reflecting the continent’s growing competitiveness on the global stage.
CAF described the development as a “record representation,” noting it would provide greater opportunities for African teams to compete at the highest level and showcase their talent on the world stage.
The final slot is being determined through intercontinental play-offs, where DR Congo emerged as Africa’s representative after navigating a series of knockout matches.
Meanwhile, global qualifiers continued across other regions, with high-stakes matches shaping the final lineup for the tournament scheduled to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. In Europe, teams such as Italy remain locked in intense qualification battles, underlining the competitiveness of the expanded format.
Football analysts say the increased allocation reflects Africa’s rising influence in global football, particularly after Morocco’s historic semi-final run at the 2022 World Cup.
The 2026 tournament, set to run from June to July, will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and a new competition structure aimed at broadening global participation.
