World Cup 2026: Africa makes history with 10 representatives for the first time

World Cup 2026 01 April 2026 at 04:24

Mohamed Rek

News Editor

31.03.26 AET World Cup Qualification Inter-Confederation

DR Congo

1

:

Jamaica

0

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will mark a turning point for African football, with a record-breaking presence of 10 national teams. This is a first in the competition’s history, made possible by the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams.

DR Congo hands Africa its historic tenth ticket to the World Cup

In the early hours of Wednesday, DR Congo clinched the penultimate qualifying spot for the 2026 World Cup, defeating Jamaica (1-0) at the "Estadio Guadalajara" in Mexico.

Axel Tuanzebe, currently playing for Burnley, netted the only goal of the match from a corner kick, sending his country back to the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, since their last appearance in 1974.

Thanks to this triumph, the "Leopards" become Africa’s tenth representative, joining the already qualified nations: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Ivory Coast, and Senegal.

World Cup 2026: Axel Tuanzebe shares his emotion after the qualification goal

Related teams and leagues

DR Congo

Jamaica

World Cup Qualification Inter-Confederation