The drawing lots of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, organized in Canada, United States and Mexico from June 11 to July 19 next year, took place last Friday in Washington DC. This 23rd edition will gather 48 countries instead of the 32 ones usually summoned. What kind of contenders for our African representatives?
For those who witnessed the good performances of Senegal in 2002 during the World Cup in Japan and South Korea ( as a reminder, Brazil won the final 2-0 before Germany thanks to 2 goals scored by Ronaldo), the 2026 edition will be a sort of reminiscence of the 2002 one.
As a matter of fact, the drawing lots decided to put France and Senegal in the same group. 23 years ago, the 1998 World Champions were defeated by the Senegalese squad led by Pape Bouba Diop, only goal scorer of the game (1-0).
In the I group, Senegal will also challenge Norway of terrific goal scorer Erling Haaland and the winner of the intercontinental qualifiers (Bolivia, Surinam or Iraq).
In the A group, South Africa will defy Mexico, one of the host countries, South Korea and another European squad between Czech Republic, Ireland, Denmark and North Macedonia.
In the C Group, the last semifinalists of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Morocco, will have the privilege to play against Brazil of Carlo Ancelotti. Scotland and Haiti complete the group.
The last winners of the African Cup of Nations, Ivory Coast, will face up to Germany, Ecuador and Curacao in the E group.
In the F group, Tunisia will struggle with the Netherlands, Japan and one winner of the European qualifiers between Ukraine, Sweden, Poland and Albania.
In the G group, Egypt will be opposed to Belgium, Iran and New Zealand. The H group seems quite tough for Cape Verde with adversaries like Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
In the J group, Algeria will play against Argentina, last winner of the World Cup, but also Austria and Jordania.
If DR Congo manages to pass the ultimate step of the intercontinental qualifiers, the team of Cédric Bakambu will be put in the K group with Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.
At last, the L group will be composed of Ghana, England, Croatia and Panama.
Guillaume Mahot