AfroPari on the key matches for the African national teams at the start of the World Championship
From June 11 to 27, the best teams from 48 countries will compete for 32 spots in the World Championship knockout stage. Africa has a record number of representatives at the tournament in the Americas, with 10 taking part in the race for the title! AfroPari analyzes the key matches featuring the African teams in the first round of the World Championship group stage.
Brazil vs Morocco (June 14)
The five-time world champions against the premier football tournament semi-finalists in Qatar is the headline fixture of matchday 1. It will be the decisive clash for the lead in Group C. Brazil has one of the most successful coaches in football history, a reliable central defensive tandem of Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhães, as well as Vinícius Júnior and Raphinha, the driving forces of their team’s attack. Therefore, the Seleção are the favorites in this match, with odds of 1.65 for their victory.
Morocco arrive with a new head coach and several young talents on the squad. Achraf Hakimi remains the heart and captain of the Atlas Lions, while Brahim Díaz has become the architect of the team’s attack, winning the Golden Boot at AFCON 2025. Morocco can also rely on the technical abilities of Gessime Yassine and Chemsdine Talbi, both of whom have impressed in Europe’s top leagues.
Disciplined play on counterattacks against the beloved Joga Bonito – which style will prevail? Morocco could surprise the Seleção with their dedication and quick transitions. After all, the Atlas Lions had already beaten Brazil in a friendly three years ago (2-1). The odds for Morocco to win are 5.5, while a draw is estimated at 3.76.
Côte d’Ivoire vs Ecuador (June 15)
Yan Diomandé, Amad Diallo, and Ange-Yoan Bonny are ready to prove in America that their AFCON 2025 defeat was a fluke. They need to hit the ground running in their opening match. While they are expected to battle Germany for the top spot in the group, a positive result against Ecuador could be the key to securing a place in the knockout stage.
Any outcome is possible in the upcoming clash. The odds for Côte d’Ivoire to win are 3.62, a draw is estimated at 2.775, and a victory for Ecuador stands at 2.4. Les Éléphants have shown excellent form recently and even defeated France during their preparations for the World Championship. The challenge now is to carry their confident performances into competitive matches.
Belgium vs Egypt (June 15)
Under Rudi Garcia, the Red Devils have lost only once, and that defeat came in March of last year. Since then, the Belgians have embarked on a 13-match unbeaten streak, including three wins in their last four games. However, Egypt’s attacking duo of Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush could disrupt the plans of Jérémy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne.
The odds for a Belgium victory are 1.632, while the Pharaohs’ chances of winning are estimated at 5.45, and a draw stands at 3.86. Egypt has conceded only two goals in its last four matches, and thanks to the experience of Ibrahim Yasser and Hamdy Fathy, it could seal the game against the European giants.
France vs Senegal (June 16)
Les Bleus hope to bid farewell to Didier Deschamps with a World Championship triumph, but Les Lions de la Teranga have other plans for this match. Especially since Côte d’Ivoire recently showed how to play against the French. Senegal also knows what it takes to beat Les Bleus on football’s biggest stage, having done so in 2002.
