The expanded 48-team World Cup should change the way African teams approach qualification for the knockouts.
With the eight best third-placed teams advancing alongside the top two in each group, progression is no longer reliant on puling off a 'giant-killing' against a traditional powerhouse.
Instead, the decisive moments may well be in matches between direct rivals for second place, or those crucial six-point fixtures against teams of similar levels which will determine who can secure enough points to advance.
Africa has ten representatives at the tournament, and while all of the teams in the would-be World Cup middle class will be seeing expansion as a reason to believe in progression, it would be a massive failure if the continent fails to break its own record for the number of sides in the knockouts.
Looking ahead to the group stage, here are six matches we're picking out as turning points for the teams involved, the fixtures which - while not 'must-win' games - will surely shape Africa's group stage campaign.
Mexico vs South Africa (Mexico City, June 11, Group A)
For the first time in World Cup history, the opening fixture of the competition will be a rematch of a previous tournament opener.
Bafana Bafana and Mexico shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in the opening game of the 2010 edition in South Africa, where Siphiwe Tshabalala's stunning left-footed strike launched the competition, before Rafael Marquez's equaliser 11 minutes from time.
This time, the roles will be reversed, with Mexico playing host at the Estadio Azteca, and Hugo Broos's Bafana the visiting outsiders.
A first ever place in the knockouts is attainable for South Africa, given their progress under the Belgian coach and a balanced group where neither Czechia nor South Korea will intimidate South Africa.
Ghana vs Panama (Toronto, June 17, Group L)
Is this the purest 'must win' for all of Africa's ten representatives this group stage?
Considering the presence of England and Croatia in Group L, Ghana absolutely have to capitalise on Panama's comparative weakness if they're to begin their campaign on a positive note and give themselves the best chance of progression.
It's their first game, making it even more important, as three points would allow Ghana to approach the England and Croatia games with belief and without the pressure (and likely desperation) that failure to beat Panama would bring.
A defeat would leave Ghana needing a major upset against one of Europe's strongest sides to advance, and it's imperative they give themselves the best shot of survival by taking out the group's poorest side.
Morocco vs Scotland (Boston, June 19, Group C)
A rare occasion in World Cup history where an African team have entered a match against European opponents as favourites to secure victory.
Since their run to the semis in Qatar, expectations have changed for Morocco, who must now prove that that historic achievement was not a one off, but the beginning of a power shift in world football.
They enter the tournament ranked seventh in the world - unprecedented territory for an African side - although their opener against Brazil still represents an ominous challenge.
Norway vs Senegal (New Jersey, June 22, Group I)
For Senegal, as is the case for Morocco, their second fixture - against tough European opponents - is the match that will shape their campaign, after an opening game against one of the favourites (France) which they're expected to lose.
Along with the Atlas Lions, the Teranga Lions - the team who beat the Moroccans in January's Africa Cup of Nations final - are Africa's best bet for a deep run in the competition, and they'll be targeting three points against Norway to prove their credentials.
Egypt vs Iran (Seattle, June 26, Group G)
An intriguing meeting between these two in Seattle, in a match which has been intriguingly designated as an LGBT+ Pride Match to coincide with the city's Pride weekend.
By this point, both Egypt and Iran will have faced Belgium and New Zealand, so this match could feasibly become a straight shootout for the second automatic qualification place behind Les Diables Rouges.
Algeria vs Austria (Kansas City, June 27, Group J)
On paper, Argentina are overwhelming favourites to win the group - making this match a battle for second place - although the reigning champions are creaking, not quite the force they were four years ago, and could feasibly come unstuck against either of these two during their Group J campaign.
Should the Albiceleste stumble against either of these two, then could this match emerge as a potential battle for top spot in the group.
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