The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, opening a historic edition that expands the tournament to 48 teams and 104 matches. For Africa, the new format marks a major moment. The continent has 10 representatives at the tournament, its largest-ever World Cup presence, giving African football a wider platform than in previous editions.

The expanded format is confirmed by FIFA’s official match schedule, which lists 104 matches in the first 48-team men’s World Cup. The tournament is also the first to be jointly hosted by three countries.

Africa’s hopes are shaped by history. As it is noted, Morocco’s 2022 semi-final run remains the continent’s best-ever World Cup performance, surpassing earlier quarter-final runs by Cameroon, Senegal, and Ghana.

The bigger question now is whether a larger African presence can translate into deeper progress. More teams mean more exposure, more competitive experience, and more chances to reach the knockout stages.

DR Congo’s return adds another major storyline. The Leopards are back at the World Cup after a 52-year absence, making this edition especially significant for Congolese football and for African representation as a whole.

Still, no African nation has ever reached a World Cup final. That remains the line this generation is trying to cross.

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins, Africa enters with numbers, momentum, and belief. Whether that is enough to produce a historic breakthrough will be one of the tournament’s biggest storylines.