The qualifiers produced a mix of established powers and new stories, with Cape Verde making history by qualifying for the first time.
The island nation became only the second smallest country ever to reach the World Cup finals, after Iceland in 2018.
Ivory Coast and South Africa returned to the global stage after long absences, while Senegal, Morocco, and Tunisia continued their consistent run of appearances, showcasing the growing strength and stability of African football.
Reigning African champions Ivory Coast and Tunisia both completed their campaigns without conceding a goal, underlining their defensive solidity throughout the qualifiers.
The nine group winners advanced automatically, while Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo, and Gabon – the four best second-placed teams – will compete in a CAF playoff tournament in Morocco this November to determine who advances to the inter-confederation playoffs for a potential 10th African place.
Africa will be represented by a record number of teams at the expanded 48-nation World Cup, offering the continent an unprecedented opportunity to make a deeper impact on the global stage.
