After the first round of group-stage matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Africa’s representatives have produced a mixture of impressive upsets, encouraging draws and a few disappointing defeats. The early evidence suggests that the continent’s teams are more competitive than ever, even as two African sides recorded victories so far.
Perhaps the most striking trend has been the number of points African teams have taken from traditional football powers.
Stunning Upsets
Morocco held five-time champions Brazil to a 1-1 draw in one of the tournament’s headline matches, underlining why the Atlas Lions remain Africa’s standard-bearers after their historic 2022 World Cup run.
Egypt also frustrated Belgium in a 1-1 draw, while Cape Verde produced one of the tournament’s biggest surprises by holding Spain to a goalless draw. DR Congo then capped a remarkable sequence by drawing 1-1 with Portugal, earning their first-ever World Cup point and scoring their first World Cup goal.
These results mean that Brazil, Belgium, Spain and Portugal have all failed to win against African opposition in their opening matches. The pattern has become one of the major talking points of the tournament’s first week.
Ivory Coast Lead Africa’s Winners
Among the continent’s 10 representatives, Ivory Coast delivered the only outright victory in the opening round, defeating Ecuador 1-0 to move level with Germany at the top of Group E. That result has positioned the Elephants strongly for a possible place in the knockout stage.
The victory was particularly significant because Germany’s 7-1 demolition of Curaçao means goal difference could become decisive later in the group.
The Black Stars of Ghana also picked three points. A stoppage time goal from Caleb Yirenkyi ensured that the Black Stars finished second behind England in Group L.
Senegal and Algeria Suffer Toughest Setback
Not all African teams enjoyed positive starts.
Senegal were beaten 3-1 by France in a rematch of their famous 2002 World Cup opener. While the scoreline was disappointing, the Lions of Teranga remain in contention with two matches still to play.
Algeria also endured a difficult evening, losing 3-0 to defending champions Argentina. The Desert Foxes now face an uphill task if they are to reach the knockout rounds.
Tunisia’s 5-1 defeat to Sweden was arguably the most damaging result for an African nation in the first round, leaving the North Africans bottom of Group F with a significant goal-difference problem.
South Africa opened with a 2-0 loss to hosts Mexico, a result that leaves Bafana Bafana under pressure heading into their second group game.
By the numbers
After the first round:
Ivory Coast: Win
Ghana: Win
Morocco: Draw
Egypt: Draw
Cape Verde: Draw
DR Congo: Draw
Senegal: Loss
South Africa: Loss
Algeria: Loss
Tunisia: Loss
That leaves Africa with two wins, four draws and four defeats, but the headline statistic is that African teams have taken points from Brazil, Belgium, Spain and Portugal.
Early verdict
The first round has reinforced a trend that has been building for several World Cups: African nations are no longer outsiders hoping for an upset. They are increasingly capable of competing toe-to-toe with the sport’s traditional powers.
Morocco, Egypt, Cape Verde and DR Congo have enhanced their reputations, while Ivory Coast have given themselves a genuine chance of reaching the knockout rounds. Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia and South Africa have work to do, but none are mathematically out of contention.
If the opening matches are any indication, Africa’s story at World Cup 2026 may be defined less by giant-killing surprises and more by consistent competitiveness across the continent’s representatives.
