Africa enjoyed its finest collective performance in FIFA World Cup history at the 2026 tournament, with nine of the continent’s ten representatives reaching the knockout stages, the Round of 32.
Teams from every corner of the continent advanced through different routes: some as group winners, others as runners-up, and three as best third-placed finishers. Only Tunisia fell short. Here is how each of the nine got through:
Morocco — Unbeaten, Confident
Morocco arrived in North America as the continent’s highest-ranked side and left the group stage without a defeat. The Atlas Lions finished second in Group C behind Brazil with seven points — drawing against the South Americans before beating Scotland 1-0 and Haiti 4-2. Semi-finalists in Qatar four years ago, they are building toward something again.
Egypt — End of a Long Wait
Egypt reached the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history after finishing unbeaten in Group G. Draws against Belgium and Iran were followed by a win over New Zealand — five points and second place behind Belgium. A 1-1 draw with Iran in their final match, settled by a VAR-ruled offside in stoppage time, secured their place in the last 32 and a meeting with Australia. Mohamed Salah’s side waited decades for this moment.
South Africa — Historic Breakthrough
South Africa produced one of the tournament’s most emotional stories. Bafana Bafana reached the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time in their history, finishing runners-up in Group A behind hosts Mexico with four points. Thapelo Maseko’s 95th-minute winner against Korea Republic — struck after substitute Brandon Thomas-Asante’s cutback — delivered the moment. Hugo Broos’ side face Canada in Los Angeles.
Cape Verde — Unbeaten Debutants
The smallest nation by population ever to reach the World Cup knockout rounds drew all three group matches — against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia — to finish second in Group H. They are the first team since Chile at France 1998 to progress from the group stage without winning a match. Their reward is a tie against defending champions Argentina and Lionel Messi in Miami. Goalkeeper Vozinha, 40 years old, was the tournament’s early standout performer.
Senegal — African Champions Fight Back
After consecutive defeats threatened an early exit, Senegal produced one of the performances of the group stage — thrashing Iraq 5-0 in Toronto to keep their campaign alive. Habib Diarra, Ismaila Sarr, Pape Gueye twice and Iliman Ndiaye scored as the Lions of Teranga advanced as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams.
Ghana — Black Stars Shine Through
Ghana impressed throughout Group L, beating Panama before holding England to a goalless draw. A narrow defeat to Croatia on the final matchday did not cost them — four points were enough to advance. Otto Addo’s side face Colombia in the Round of 32.
Ivory Coast — Bounced Back
Ivory Coast recovered from a 2-1 Matchday 2 defeat against Germany to advance from Group E with six points. A 1-0 opening win over Ecuador and a 2-0 final-day victory over Curaçao were enough to secure second place. They face Norway in the knockout rounds.
DR Congo — Central Africa’s Moment
DR Congo made their mark on Group K — opening with a historic 1-1 draw against Portugal, the moment Yoane Wissa scored the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal, 52 years after their only previous appearance. A defeat to Colombia was followed by a convincing win over Uzbekistan to seal their place in the last 32.
Algeria — Late Recovery, But Through
Algeria recovered from an opening defeat to Argentina to advance from Group J. A 2-1 victory over Jordan — goals from Nadhir Benbouali and Amine Gouiri — and a 3-3 draw with Austria as a best third-placed finisher secured their progression. Switzerland await in the Round of 32.
Tunisia — The Exception
Tunisia were the only African side unable to survive the group stage, exiting from Group F. Their absence does little to diminish what is already the continent’s most successful World Cup campaign.
Nine teams. Nine stories. Nine routes to the same destination. African football has never been this far before — and the knockout rounds have not yet begun.
Round of 32 Fixtures for African Nations
June 28: Canada 1–0 South Africa
June 30: Côte d’Ivoire vs. Norway
June 30: Netherlands vs. Morocco
July 1: Belgium vs. Senegal
July 3: Switzerland vs. Algeria
July 3: Colombia vs. Ghana
July 4: Argentina vs. Cape Verde
