Two wins, four losses – how African teams fared on World Cup matchday one
All 48 teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have played their first matches, and gotten fully initiated into the long-awaited biggest football tournament in the history of the sport.
There has been a lot of drama in and outside the pitches, plus bittersweet experiences for fans, as well as fantastic records being set by players, with the fate of African teams currently hanging in the balance.
But with matchday one fixtures now fully completed, FirstDailySports’ Ben Ugbana takes a look at the 10 teams representing Africa and how they have fared so far at the ongoing global showpiece in North America.
Cote d’Ivoire
The Ivorians clinched the first African win of the first round of matches in the group stage. Amad Diallo scored a late goal against Ecuador to get all three points for his side.
The former Africa Cup of Nations champions will take on Germany on matchday two of Group E.
Cape Verde
The giant stoppers, Cabo Verde! It is their first World Cup and in their first game, they successfully held former world champions and top favourites Spain to a goalless draw.
A well-deserved point for the debutants, whose goalkeeper Vozinha quickly became an internet sensation for his superb performance as his social media following rose from below 50,000 to over 3,000,000 in a few hours.
They take on Uruguay in their next Group H match as all eyes are now on them to keep up the play.
Egypt
The Pharaohs pulled off an entertaining 1-1 draw with Belgium, with the game snatched by a late Romelu Lukaku-forced equaliser for Belgium.
The Egyptian team led by Mohamed Salah were denied their first World Cup win. They will be back to play when they face New Zealand on matchday two in Group G.
Morocco
The official African champions had a pretty fine start as they gave Brazil a run for their money, holding the most successful team in the competition to a 1-1 draw.
Morocco, who reached the semifinals in the last World Cup, did not fail to impress but they had lots of missed chances that could have won the game for them.
They take on Haiti in their second game of Group C.
DR Congo
DR Congo are playing in the World Cup for the first time in a long time, and they successfully picked up their first point in the tournament against a Portugal side that had Cristiano Ronaldo.
The African side were not spectacularly great but were enough to keep Portugal within one shot on target for the entire match. They held the European giants to a 1-1 draw.
Tunisia
The North Africa side had a terrible start to the showpiece, losing 5-1 to Sweden in a one-sided game that forced the Tunisian federation to sack the team’s head coach, Sabri Lamouchi.
Tunisia have since employed the services of veteran coach Harve Renard, who has already resumed training with the team, and will be hoping to have a fine start when they file out against Japan in their second game of Group F.
Read Also: Messi nets first World Cup hat-trick as Argentina thrash Algeria
South Africa
The Bafana Bafana opened the World Cup in a chaotic manner, losing two players to red cards, and falling to a 2-0 defeat against co-hosts Mexico.
The South Africans will be hoping to ressurect their campaign when they take on Czech Republic in their second Group A game.
Senegal
The West African side had a fine first half against former champions France. The chances created were a lot as well as the chances squandered. They ended up paying for it in the second half.
A France side led by Kylian Mbappe had a smooth ride in the second half, with the Real Madrid forward setting a goal record with a brace to help his side win 3-1.
Senegal lost it. They will be seeking redemption when they take on Erling Haaland’s Norway in matchday two.
Algeria
The North Africans played againsg the defending champions Argentina, and were completely dealt with by old war horse, Lionel Messi, who netted a hat-trick in the game.
The Algerian Fennec Foxes will hope to ressurect their World Cup campaign when they file out for the matchday two fixture against debutants Jordan in Group J.
Ghana
The Black Stars of Ghana started their campaign on a bright note as a late goal helped them seal a 1-0 victory over Panama.
Ghana, who were without Thomas Partey, had the lesser possession but, against the run of play, clinched victory to earn all three points from the encounter.
They face England next.
