World Cup · Updated 2026-10-20
How many African teams qualify for the World Cup?
Short answer
Nine African teams qualify directly for the 48-team FIFA World Cup, introduced in 2026, and a tenth can qualify through the intercontinental play-off. From 1998 to 2022 Africa usually had five places (six in 2010 with hosts South Africa); in 1934 and 1970 there was just one.
CAF World Cup qualifying is played in groups; the group winners qualify directly, while the best runners-up go into a CAF play-off for the place in the intercontinental play-off tournament.
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