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Senegal and Algeria played their opening World Cup matches on Tuesday and lost to France and Argentina respectively, completing the first round of group-stage fixtures for all ten African nations at the 2026 World Cup. Two wins. Four draws. Four defeats. Here is the complete picture, nation by nation, of how Africa's record contingent began the largest tournament in the sport's history.
The Wins
Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0 through Amad Diallo's 90th-minute goal and lead Group E with a clean sheet that extends their remarkable defensive record from qualifying. Morocco did not win but their 1-1 draw with Brazil, secured through Hakimi's penalty, functions in every practical sense like a result earned rather than a point salvaged. Combined with Cape Verde's extraordinary 0-0 draw against Spain, the strongest performances of the African contingent so far have come from teams that did not need to win to make their statement.
The Draws
Cape Verde 0-0 Spain remains the single best result any African nation has produced this tournament, a goalless draw against the world's top-ranked team built on Vozinha's eight saves and a defensive structure that absorbed 27 Spanish shots. Egypt 1-1 Belgium denied the Pharaohs a historic first World Cup win after Lukaku's 22-second impact off the bench, but the point keeps Egypt competitive in Group G heading into their match against New Zealand. Morocco's draw with Brazil completes the trio of results that have exceeded expectation.
The Defeats
South Africa lost 2-0 to Mexico with three red cards shown in the match, a result complicated significantly by the suspensions that follow into the Czech Republic fixture on June 18. Tunisia lost 5-1 to Sweden in a defeat that exposed the inexperience of Lamouchi's heavily rebuilt squad after a competitive first half collapsed entirely after the break. Senegal lost 3-1 to France despite leading the better side for an hour and missing two clear chances that could have changed the entire complexion of the match. Algeria lost 3-0 to Argentina in a performance where their possession-based system could not translate 52% of the ball into meaningful penetration against the world champions.
Still to Come
Ghana face Panama later today, their most realistic opportunity for an opening win in Group D. DR Congo face Portugal, also today, in the match that begins their first World Cup campaign since 1974. Both results will complete the opening round for every African nation across the entire 48-team field. The early picture suggests a tournament where Africa's ten nations have produced genuine quality, Cape Verde's historic point, Morocco's sustained excellence, Ivory Coast's clean structural win, alongside the harder lessons of Tunisia's collapse and Algeria's system meeting its limits against the best team in the competition. The group stage continues. The story is far from written.
