Nine African nations have secured places in the Round of 32 of the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting the continent’s impressive performance at the first-ever 48-team edition of the tournament.
With 10 African countries competing at the global showpiece, Morocco, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Cape Verde, Senegal and Ghana all confirmed their qualification for the knockout stage.
Algeria and DR Congo joined the rest on Sunday after successfully navigating their decisive final group matches on Sunday, June 28.
Morocco sealed second place in Group C after an entertaining 4-2 victory over Haiti in their final group fixture. The Atlas Lions will now face Group F winners, the Netherlands, in a Round of 32 encounter on June 29.
South Africa also made history by qualifying for the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. After losing their opening match to co-hosts Mexico, Bafana Bafana recovered impressively with a draw against Czechia before defeating Korea Republic to finish second in Group A. They will face Canada in the Round of 32 on June 28.
Côte d’Ivoire continued Africa’s impressive run by finishing second in Group E, recording victories over Ecuador and Curaçao to secure qualification. The Elephants will face the runners-up from Group I in the Round of 32 on June 30.
Egypt also progressed after finishing second in Group G. The Pharaohs wrapped up their group campaign with a 1-1 draw against Iran and will now take on Australia in Dallas in the knockout stage.
One of the tournament’s biggest success stories has been debutants Cape Verde. The Islanders remained unbeaten throughout the group stage, earning draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to qualify from Group H.
Their reward is a daunting Round of 32 clash against defending champions Argentina in Miami.
Senegal booked their place in the knockout phase as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams. The Teranga Lions produced a commanding 5-0 victory over Iraq in their final Group I match to keep their World Cup hopes alive.
Ghana also advanced to the Round of 32 after accumulating four points from their opening two matches. Results elsewhere confirmed the Black Stars’ qualification even before they played their final Group L fixture.
Africa’s tally increased to nine teams on Sunday after Algeria played 3-3 with Austria and DR Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 in their final group matches.
Elsewhere, co-hosts Mexico and the United States have already booked their places in the Round of 32, alongside Germany, Argentina, France, Norway, Colombia, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador and Sweden.
Tunisia are the only African nation already eliminated from the tournament. Other teams that have exited the competition include Haiti, Türkiye, Jordan, Panama, Qatar, Czechia and Curaçao.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition to feature 48 teams, with the tournament adopting a new format in which the top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, advance to the Round of 32.
(The Whistler)