The biggest event in the football world, the World Cup, is set to begin exactly one year from now.
Hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, this edition of the tournament will feature 48 teams for the first time. As a result, it will be the largest World Cup ever held.
A total of 10 teams from Africa will participate in the tournament. Europe will be represented by 16 teams, Asia by 9 teams, South America by 7 teams, and North & Central America and the Caribbean will send 8 teams. Oceania will have 2 teams in the tournament.
The new format introduces 12 groups, each consisting of 4 teams. During the group stage, each team will play three matches.
The top two teams from each group, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the Round of 32.
Among the most notable African teams expected to participate are Ivory Coast, the reigning AFCON champions; Morocco, who reached the semifinals of the previous World Cup; Nigeria, with a powerful attacking lineup despite struggling in the group stage; Senegal, with a squad full of star players; and Egypt, led by Mohamed Salah.
Qualification rounds are still ongoing, and the final list of African teams that will compete in the tournament will be determined after the group stage of the qualifiers.