South Africa’s return to the World Cup after 16 years, combined with its Group A draw against Mexico and South Korea, positions it as a leading candidate for the weakest CAF finish according to trader consensus. Algeria and Tunisia face similarly demanding sections featuring Argentina and the Netherlands, respectively, while DR Congo and Ghana sit in groups headlined by Portugal and England. Cape Verde’s matchup with Spain and Uruguay adds pressure on the lowest-ranked qualifiers. In contrast, higher expectations surround Morocco, Senegal, and Ivory Coast despite their own elite opposition. Recent qualification campaigns and FIFA rankings underscore the gap, with the expanded 48-team format offering limited margin for the lower-seeded sides to progress beyond the group stage.