The draw for the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations Senegal 2026 Qualifiers has set the next stage of the continental competition, with 16 nations entering the race for the seven remaining places at the finals.
The qualification race comes as African beach soccer continues to build its record at the global level.
Reigning African champions, Senegal have made 10 World Cup appearances and are the only African nation to have reached the semi-finals.
With the road to Senegal 2026 now underway, here is a look at Africa’s record at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup since 2005.
Cameroon – First African qualifiers champions
- World Cup appearances: 2
- Debuts: 2006 and 2008
- Best finish: Group stage
Cameroon was among Africa’s first representatives after the introduction of the continental qualification process.
The Indomitable Lions qualified for the 2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, where they competed in the group stage. They returned to the global finals two years later in Marseille.
The country also won the first CAF qualifying tournament in 2006, defeating Nigeria 5-3 in the final.
Côte d’Ivoire – A memorable comeback
- World Cup appearances: 2
- Appearances: 2009 and 2013
- Best finish: Group stage
Côte d’Ivoire has appeared twice at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – first in the 2009 Dubai edition 2009 then later in the 2013 edition in Tahiti.
The Elephants produced one of the competition’s most notable results in Dubai.
Trailing El Salvador 5-1, Côte d’Ivoire recovered to win 7-6, producing one of the most memorable come backs in the history of the competition.
- World Cup appearances: 1
- Debut: 2024
- Best finish: Group stage
Egypt made its FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup debut at UAE 2024. The Pharaohs were drawn in Group A with hosts United Arab Emirates, Italy and the United States.
Egypt did not advance to the knockout stage but ended the tournament with a first World Cup victory.
They came from behind to defeat the United States 5-4, with Hossam Paulo scoring three times. The result was Egypt’s first win at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
Madagascar – World Cup debut in 2015
- World Cup appearances: 1
- Debut: 2015
- Best finish: Group stage
Madagascar made its first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup appearance in 2015 at the Portugal finals.
The qualification followed the country’s success at the 2015 CAF Beach Soccer Championship in Seychelles, where Madagascar defeated Senegal on penalties in the final.
At the World Cup, Madagascar were drawn alongside Russia, Tahiti and Paraguay.
Mauritania – First appearance in 2025
- World Cup appearances: 1
- Debut: 2025
- Best finish: Group stage
Mauritania qualified for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup for the first time after finishing runners-up at the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations Egypt 2024.
The achievement came in their first appearance at the continental finals. Mauritania defeated Morocco in the semi-finals before losing to Senegal in the final.
In Seychelles, Mauritania were drawn in Group B with Iran, Portugal and Paraguay.
They lost all three matches but scored 13 goals across the group stage. They scored four against Iran, four against Portugal and five against Paraguay. Cheikh Belkheir scored three goals against Iran and another three against Paraguay.
Mozambique – Victory on debut
- World Cup appearances: 1
- Debut: 2021
- Best finish: Group stage
Mozambique reached the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup for the first time at the Russia 2021 finals.
The qualification followed their run to the final of the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal, also their first appearance at the continental finals. Senegal defeated Mozambique 4-1 in the final.
At the World Cup, Mozambique recorded their first victory on the global stage by defeating the United Arab Emirates 4-2.
The result was built around a four-goal performance from Figo. Mozambique’s campaign ended in the group stage.
- World Cup appearances: 6
- Debut: 2006
- Best finish: Quarter-finals
Nigeria has appeared at six FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups, the second-highest total among African nations after Senegal.
Nigeria reached the quarter-finals in 2007 and 2011.
They then returned to the global finals in 2017 and 2019, having also appeared in 2006 and 2009.
Nigeria also features in the competition’s age records. Azeez Abu was 15 when he appeared at the World Cup, making him one of the youngest players to feature in the tournament. He went on to establish a record of being the first Nigerian Beach Soccer player to net 100 times.
Senegal – Reigning African champions
- World Cup appearances: 10
- Debut: 2007
- Best finish: Fourth place – 2021 and 2025
- Semi-final appearances: 2
Senegal has become Africa’s most established side at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
The Teranga Lions made their debut in 2007 and have appeared at 10 editions.
Their first appearance in 2007 ended in the quarter-finals. They also reached the last eight in 2011, 2017 and 2019.
Senegal impressed at the Russia 2021 finals where they defeated Brazil 5-4 after extra time in the quarter-finals to become the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
Senegal repeated that achievement at the 2025 edition in Seychelles where they opened the tournament with a 4-1 victory over Spain, followed it with a 6-3 win over Tahiti and completed the group stage with a 7-3 victory over Chile.
In the quarter-finals, Mamour Diagne scored with two seconds remaining in extra time to give Senegal a 4-3 victory over Italy.
Belarus ended Senegal’s run in the semi-finals as they ended their campaign fourth.
Senegal also arrived at Seychelles 2025 as the reigning African champions, having won the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations for a record-extending fifth time in Egypt in 2024.
Seychelles – First African nation to host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup
- World Cup appearances: 1
- Debut: 2025
- Best finish: Group stage
Seychelles became the first African nation to host the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2025. The tournament was played in Victoria from 1 to 11 May, with Seychelles making their FIFA tournament debut.
The hosts were drawn in Group A with Belarus, Guatemala and Japan. They lost all three matches, but the tournament produced a notable individual record.
Sixteen-year-old Lienal Bibi scored twice against Japan – making him the third-youngest goalscorer in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup history.
South Africa – Africa’s first representative
- World Cup appearances: 1
- Debut: 2005
- Best finish: Group stage
South Africa was the first African nation to appear at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
The team competed at the inaugural FIFA edition in Rio de Janeiro in 2005.
The team returned to the African qualifying competition in later years but did not qualify for another FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
Africa’s record at the World Cup highlights:
- 2005 South Africa became the first African nation to appear at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.
- 2007: Senegal made its World Cup debut and reached the quarter-finals.
- 2011: Senegal and Nigeria both reached the quarter-finals.
- 2015: Madagascar made its first appearance.
- 2021: Senegal became the first African team to reach the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup semi-finals. Mozambique also made its debut.
- 2024: Egypt recorded its first World Cup victory, defeating the USA 5-4.
- 2025: Seychelles hosted the first FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup on African soil. Mauritania made its debut and Senegal reached the semi-finals for a second time.
