Kinshasa, June 18th, 2026 (CPA).- Six (6) out of ten (10) African national teams, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, enjoyed a promising start with two victories and four draws against major global football nations during the first match day of the group stage, according to tournament statistics. According to the source, the Ivory Coast Elephants (33rd in FIFA rankings) stood out by becoming the first African nation to secure a victory in this World Cup, thanks to a valuable 1–0 win over Ecuador’s Tricolor (23rd) in Group E. The Black Stars of Ghana (73rd) also successfully opened their campaign by defeating Panama’s Los Canaleros (34th) by the same score line (1–0), positioning themselves strongly in the race for qualification. Other African representatives also confirmed their ability to compete against top-tier opponents.
The Leopards of the Democratic Republic of Congo (46th in FIFA rankings) impressed by securing a valuable point against Portugal’s Seleção das Quinas (5th), following a hard-fought 1–1 draw played on Wednesday, June 17th, in Group K. Egypt’s Pharaohs (29th) also held Belgium’s Red Devils (9th) to a 1–1 draw in Group G, while Morocco’s Atlas Lions (7th in FIFA rankings and 2022 World Cup semi-finalists) confirmed their status by earning a deserved 1–1 draw against Brazil’s Seleção (6th) in Group C. Meanwhile, Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks (67th) caused a sensation by holding Spain’s La Roja (2nd) to a goalless draw (0–0), recording a historic result in their first appearance at a World Cup finals in Group H.
Four African teams fall in opening matchday
In the first matchday of the 2026 World Cup group stage, four African representatives—South Africa, Tunisia, Senegal and Algeria—suffered defeats against high-level opponents, according to results recorded on Wednesday, June 17.
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana (60th in FIFA rankings) lost 0–2 to Mexico’s El Tricolor (14th) in Group A, despite a competitive performance in which the South Africans resisted in the first half before conceding in the second. Tunisia’s Carthage Eagles (45th) in Group F suffered a heavy 1–5 defeat against Sweden (38th), in a match marked by Scandinavian attacking dominance and defensive difficulties for the Tunisian side.
Senegal’s Teranga Lions (15th in FIFA rankings) in Group I were also beaten 1–3 by France’s Les Bleus (3rd), who demonstrated experience and efficiency at key moments of the match. Finally, in Group J, Algeria’s Fennecs (28th) were defeated 0–3 by Argentina’s Albiceleste (1st in FIFA rankings), whose technical superiority and attacking inspiration made the difference from the first half. These results illustrate the scale of the challenge facing African teams in the group stage, as they will need to respond in the upcoming match days to revive their qualification hopes. At the end of the first match day, six African teams recorded a positive balance of two wins and four draws, highlighting the steady progress of African football on the global stage. They managed to hold their own against established favorites, strengthening hopes of increased African representation in the knockout stage. With these promising results, attention now turns to the second matchday, where African teams will seek to confirm their momentum and move closer to historic qualification for the Round of 16.