Tunisia Join Morocco as Africa’s Early Qualifiers for 2026 FIFA World Cup

Two African powerhouses have officially punched their tickets to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

On Monday night, Tunisia became the second African nation to secure qualification after a dramatic 1-0 victory over Equatorial Guinea.

The Carthage Eagles, who entered the clash seven points clear of Namibia, needed a win to guarantee their spot. With the game heading for a stalemate, Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane delivered a stoppage-time winner that sparked jubilation among the Tunisian faithful.

They now join Morocco, who sealed their place last weekend after a flawless qualifying run. The Atlas Lions, semifinalists at the 2022 World Cup, reinforced their credentials with a 2-0 triumph over Zambia on Monday, underlining why many see them as Africa’s biggest hope on the global stage.

Opinion: Africa’s Giants Leading the Way

Tunisia and Morocco’s qualification should be seen as a statement of intent from North Africa. Morocco’s consistency and Tunisia’s resilience show that both teams are building squads not just to qualify but to compete.

For Morocco, the mission goes beyond qualification—they carry the weight of expectation after their historic 2022 World Cup semifinal run. Anything less than another deep push in 2026 might feel like a step backward.

For Tunisia, the late drama against Equatorial Guinea captures their identity: a team that thrives on grit, discipline, and fighting spirit. They may not dazzle like Morocco, but they are efficient, and efficiency often wins tournaments.

The question now is: who will join them? With giants like Nigeria, Egypt, and Ivory Coast still battling it out, the stage is set for an intense finish to the qualifiers. One thing is certain—Africa will not just be represented in 2026, it will be heard loud and clear.