African football has reached a new milestone at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with nine nations progressing to the Round of 32 after the conclusion of the group stage—the continent’s best-ever performance at the global tournament.
Only Tunisia failed to qualify, while South Africa, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Egypt, Ghana, Algeria, Cape Verde and DR Congo all booked their places in the knockout rounds.
The final round of group matches produced several memorable moments for African teams.
DR Congo delivered one of the biggest stories of the tournament by fighting back from a goal down to defeat Uzbekistan 3-1.
The victory secured the Leopards’ first-ever FIFA World Cup win and sent them into the knockout stage, where they will face England after the Three Lions topped Group L with a 2-0 victory over Panama.
Algeria also survived a dramatic finale, drawing 3-3 with Austria in a pulsating encounter that was enough to secure qualification.
The Desert Foxes advanced as runners-up in Group J and will now take on Switzerland in the Round of 32.
Earlier in the final round of group fixtures, Senegal produced one of the performances of the tournament, thrashing Iraq 5-0 to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams.
The emphatic victory set a new record for the biggest win by an African men’s team in FIFA World Cup history and earned the Teranga Lions a difficult knockout clash against Belgium.
Cape Verde continued their remarkable fairy-tale debut by holding Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw.
The result ensured the island nation finished second in Group H and became the smallest country ever to reach the World Cup knockout stage.
Their reward is a blockbuster Round of 32 encounter against defending champions Argentina.
Egypt secured qualification after battling to a 1-1 draw with Iran in their final Group G match.
The Pharaohs finished second in their group and will now face Australia as they chase a place in the last 16.
Morocco completed another impressive group-stage campaign by defeating Haiti 4-2 to finish as Group C runners-up.
The Atlas Lions now prepare for a mouth-watering showdown against Group F winners Netherlands.
South Africa also made history by reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time.
Bafana Bafana sealed qualification with a crucial 1-0 victory over South Korea in their final group match and will open the Round of 32 against Canada.
Ivory Coast continued their consistent campaign by finishing second in Group E following victories over Ecuador and Curaçao.
The Elephants have been paired with Norway in the Round of 32.
Ghana also progressed after navigating a competitive Group L and now face Colombia in another intriguing all-African-versus-South American contest that could produce one of the biggest upsets of the knockout phase.
With nine representatives still in contention, Africa enters the knockout rounds with unprecedented strength and genuine hopes of producing another historic run at the FIFA World Cup.
African Round of 32 Fixtures
South Africa vs Canada
Morocco vs Netherlands
Ivory Coast vs Norway
England vs DR Congo
Belgium vs Senegal
Switzerland vs Algeria
Australia vs Egypt
Argentina vs Cape Verde
Colombia vs Ghana
