Seven African Teams Advance to Round of 32 at 2026 FIFA World Cup

By BigEyeUg Team

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stage comes to a close and the tournament moves into the Round of 32 knockout stage this weekend, DStv brings you a full review of how Africa’s ten national teams performed in this edition.

Africa’s Representation at the 2026 World Cup

Africa was represented by ten nations at this year’s tournament: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, South Africa, Cabo Verde, and DR Congo.

Nine of these teams qualified by topping their respective CAF qualifying groups.

DR Congo secured Africa’s tenth spot through an intercontinental play-off victory over Jamaica.

Seven Nations Secure Knockout Stage Spots

Seven African nations have confirmed their places in the Round of 32, marking a strong showing for the continent at the expanded 48-team tournament.

Algeria and DR Congo remain in contention and will learn their fates after their final group matches on Sunday, June 28.

Morocco

Morocco finished as runners-up in Group C after a 4-2 victory over Haiti. The Atlas Lions will face Group F winners the Netherlands in the Round of 32 on June 29.

South Africa

South Africa made history by reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the very first time.

Bafana Bafana recovered from an opening defeat to co-hosts Mexico, drew with Czechia, and then defeated Korea Republic to finish second in Group A.

They will face Canada in the Round of 32 on June 28.

Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast progressed from Group E in second place after wins over Ecuador and Curaçao. The Elephants will play the runners-up from Group I in the Round of 32 on June 30.

Egypt

Egypt finished second in Group G after a 1-1 draw with Iran in their final group game. The Pharaohs will take on Australia in Dallas on Friday.

Cabo Verde

Tournament debutants Cabo Verde continued their fairytale run by going through Group H unbeaten, with draws against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia.

The Islanders now face defending champions Argentina in Miami on Friday — a remarkable achievement for a first-time World Cup side.

Senegal

Senegal advanced to the knockout stage as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams. A commanding 5-0 victory over Iraq in their final Group I match sealed their progression.

Ghana

Ghana also booked their place in the Round of 32 before even playing their final Group L fixture. Four points and favourable results elsewhere were enough to confirm their progression to the knockout stage.

Still in Contention: Algeria and DR Congo

Algeria share three points with Austria in Group J, and Sunday’s direct clash between the two sides will decide who finishes as group runners-up and earns a Round of 32 place.

DR Congo’s chances are slim. They sit third in Group K with only one point, while Portugal are second with four. For DR Congo to advance, they must beat Uzbekistan and hope that Colombia defeat Portugal on the same day.

African Team Eliminated

Tunisia is the only African nation already eliminated from the tournament. They exit alongside Haiti, Türkiye, Jordan, Panama, Qatar, Czechia, and Curaçao.

About the 2026 FIFA World Cup Format

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition to feature 48 teams, divided into 12 groups. The top two teams from each group, plus the eight best third-placed teams, advance to the Round of 32 — a new knockout stage introduced in this expanded format.

Other nations through to the Round of 32 include co-hosts Mexico and the United States, along with Germany, Argentina, France, Norway, Colombia, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, and Sweden.