AFRICA’S representatives at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been drawn in tough-looking groups, with Algeria to battle champions Argentina and Ghana to take on England.
The draw for the 48-team tournament was held in Washington tonight, with the United States of America, Mexico and Canada to co-host the global showpiece next June and July.
Algeria are in Group J with world champions Argentina, Austria and Jordan, while Ghana will face England, Panama and Croatia, who have reached the semi-finals in each of the last two World Cups.
Morocco, who became the first-ever African team to reach the World Cup semi-finals at Qatar 2022, are up against five-time champions Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.
South Africa in Group A will play the opening match of the tournament against Mexico in a repeat of the 2010 edition the African nation hosted.
The other teams in the group are South Korea and a European team to emerge from the UEFA play-offs.
In more tough ties for African teams, Cote d’Ivoire will confront Germany in Group E, Senegal will face finalists in the last two editions France in Group I, and Tunisia will test themselves against the Netherlands in Group F.
Nine African countries qualified automatically for the World Cup, with the Democratic Republic of Congo potentially becoming the 10th from the continent after stopping the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the CAF play-offs final in November.
Where and when each nation will play their matches will be confirmed in a separate draw tomorrow, but there is some certainty at this stage.
After their opener against Croatia, England will play Ghana on June 23 in Toronto or Boston, before their final group game takes place against Panama on June 27 in Philadelphia or New York.
Following Haiti, Scotland face Morocco on June 19 in Boston or Philadelphia, while their meeting with Brazil takes place on June 24 in Atlanta or Miami.
Mexico will take on South Africa at Estadio Azteca in the opening match of the expanded tournament, which will involve 104 matches taking place across 16 cities.
In a major change to the draw, the top four nations in the FIFA world rankings – Spain, Argentina, France and England – have been awarded special seedings which ensure they cannot meet until the semi-finals, assuming each wins their group.
England, who achieved a flawless qualifying campaign with eight straight wins, could meet the winner of Brazil’s group in the quarter-finals.
2026 WORLD CUP DRAW
Group A:
Mexico, SOUTH AFRICA, South Korea, Winner of UEFA play-off D*
Group B: Canada, Winner of UEFA play-off A*, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, MOROCCO, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia, Winner of UEFA play-off C*
Group E: Germany, Curacao, IVORY COAST, Ecuador
Group F:
Netherlands, Japan, Winner of UEFA play-off B*, TUNISIA
Group G:
Belgium, EGYPT, Iran, New Zealand
Group H:
Spain, CAPE VERDE, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I:
France, SENEGAL, Winner of FIFA play-off 2*, Norway
Group J:
Argentina, ALGERIA, Austria, Jordan
Group K:
Portugal, Winner of FIFA play-off 1*, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L:
England, Croatia, GHANA, Panama
*UEFA play-off A: Italy, Wales, Bosnia-Herzegovina or Northern Ireland
*UEFA play-off B: Ukraine, Poland, Albania or Sweden
*UEFA play-off C: Turkey, Slovakia, Kosovo or Romania
*UEFA play-off D: Denmark, Czech Republic, Republic of Ireland or North Macedonia
*FIFA play-off 1: DR CONGO, Jamaica or New Caledonia
*FIFA play-off 2: Iraq, Bolivia or Suriname