This is the exciting part. The expansion means countries you rarely see at the big dance are getting a shot. Burkina Faso has a gritty, organized team that could be the tournament’s “darling” upset. Mali produces incredible young talent (take notes, Europe scouts).
And then there’s Algeria. After missing out on 2026 (which stung, really stung), they have a point to prove. Their squad is stacked with Riyad Mahrez and a bunch of tech-savvy attackers. They have the talent to go deep. The question is: do they have the guts?
9 African Nations Will Be at the 2026 FIFA World Cup—Here’s How They
Even South Africa is feeling frisky again. Bafana Bafana are finally building a team that isn’t just a collection of names. They play with a swagger that reminds you of 1998. It’s a good vibe.
