Africa’s 2026 World Cup teams step up preparations with high profile global friendlies

Africa’s qualified teams for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are ramping up preparations with a series of international friendlies across Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America as they gear up for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

A historic nine African nations have already booked their spots in the expanded World Cup, underscoring the continent’s growing presence on the global stage.

Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, Ghana, and Cape Verde all secured top positions in their respective qualifying groups.

Meanwhile, DR Congo remain in contention for a potential tenth place via the intercontinental play-offs.

With qualification confirmed, focus has shifted to fine-tuning squads. This week’s fixtures provide insight into the level of opposition Africa’s representatives are targeting ahead of the World Cup.

Tough tests for Africa’s elite

Several African sides are taking on strong international opponents to evaluate squad depth, tactical setups, and player readiness.

Morocco, the first African team to qualify, host Ecuador in Marrakech before facing Paraguay, maintaining their strategy of confronting South American opponents. Senegal travel to France to face Peru, followed by a regional clash against neighbours The Gambia.

Ghana tackle a challenging European double-header against Austria and Germany, offering a stern examination of Otto Addo’s squad, while Egypt travel to Saudi Arabia before a marquee match against Spain.

Algeria, under Vladimir Petkovic, prepare for European fixtures against Guatemala and Uruguay, while Côte d’Ivoire face South Korea and Scotland in the United Kingdom. Tunisia’s North American fixtures, including games against Haiti and co-hosts Canada, offer valuable acclimatization to World Cup conditions.

South Africa host Panama twice in Durban and Cape Town, building cohesion ahead of their return to football’s biggest stage. Cape Verde, making their World Cup debut, meet Chile and Finland in New Zealand, a distinctive preparation setting highlighting the global scope of these friendlies.

Wider African participation

Even teams that did not qualify are using this international window to experiment and build for future campaigns. Nigeria play Iran and Jordan, Zambia take on Argentina in Buenos Aires, Cameroon travel to Australia, and Mauritania face reigning world champions Argentina. These fixtures allow emerging sides to test players, refine tactics, and prepare for upcoming continental competitions, including Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Countdown to the World Cup

With the 2026 World Cup just months away, these friendlies represent a critical phase in Africa’s preparations. Coaches will closely monitor performances, trial different line-ups, and pinpoint areas needing improvement, seeking to build on Morocco’s landmark semi-final run in 2022.

Selected African fixtures (local times)

Friday, 27 March

• Algeria vs Guatemala – 20:30 (Algiers)
• Argentina vs Mauritania – 23:15 (Nouakchott)
• Austria vs Ghana – 17:00 (Accra)
• Australia vs Cameroon – 10:10 (Yaoundé)
• Chile vs Cape Verde – 02:00 (Praia)
• Morocco vs Ecuador – 21:15 (Marrakech)
• Saudi Arabia vs Egypt – 19:30 (Cairo)
• Iran vs Nigeria – 14:00 (Abuja)
• South Africa vs Panama – 19:00 (Durban)

Saturday, 28 March

• Senegal vs Peru – 16:00 (Dakar)
• South Korea vs Côte d’Ivoire – 14:00 (Yamoussoukro)
• Haiti vs Tunisia – 01:00 (Tunis)

Monday, 30 March

• Germany vs Ghana – 18:45 (Accra)
• Cape Verde vs Finland – 02:00 (Praia)

Tuesday, 31 March

• Algeria vs Uruguay – 19:30 (Algiers)
• Spain vs Egypt – TBC
• Canada vs Tunisia – 00:30 (Tunis, 1 April)
• Morocco vs Paraguay – 20:00 (Marrakech)
• Senegal vs The Gambia – 19:00 (Diamniadio)
• South Africa vs Panama – 19:30 (Cape Town)
• Scotland vs Côte d’Ivoire – 18:30 (Yamoussoukro)
• Netherlands vs Ecuador – 20:45 (Eindhoven)

Africa enters the final stretch before the World Cup with a mix of high-profile friendlies and strategic warm-ups, aiming to ensure the continent makes a lasting impact on football’s biggest stage.