Seven African nations have secured qualification for the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting the continent’s impressive showing at the first-ever 48-team edition of the tournament.
Out of the 10 African representatives competing in North America, Morocco, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Cabo Verde, Senegal, and Ghana have all advanced to the knockout stage.
Meanwhile, Algeria and DR Congo remain in contention and will fight for qualification in their final group-stage matches on Sunday, June 28.
Morocco confirmed their place in the Round of 32 after finishing second in Group C with an emphatic 4-2 victory over Haiti. The Atlas Lions will now face Group F winners the Netherlands on June 29.
South Africa also achieved a historic milestone by reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. After losing their opening fixture to co-hosts Mexico, Bafana Bafana recovered with a draw against Czechia before defeating South Korea to finish second in Group A. They are set to face Canada on June 28.
Côte d’Ivoire booked their place after finishing as runners-up in Group E, following victories over Ecuador and Curaçao. The Elephants will meet the second-placed team from Group I in the Round of 32 on June 30.
Egypt also progressed as runners-up in Group G after a 1-1 draw with Iran in their final group match. The Pharaohs are scheduled to face Australia in Dallas on Friday.
Tournament debutants Cabo Verde have continued their remarkable campaign by finishing unbeaten in Group H, recording draws against Spain, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia. The Islanders now face defending champions Argentina in Miami on Friday.
Senegal advanced as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams after thrashing Iraq 5-0 in their final Group I fixture.
Ghana also secured a place in the knockout stage before playing their final Group L match, with their four-point tally and results elsewhere guaranteeing qualification.
Algeria remain in the race for a Round of 32 berth. The Desert Foxes are level on three points with Austria in Group J, with Sunday’s encounter between the two sides set to determine who progresses.
DR Congo also retain a mathematical chance of advancing. They sit third in Group K with one point and must defeat Uzbekistan while hoping Portugal lose to Colombia to qualify.
Elsewhere, co-hosts Mexico and the United States have also progressed, 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 eliminated from the tournament so far, joining Haiti, Türkiye, Jordan, Panama, Qatar, Czechia, and Curaçao in exiting the competition.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition to feature 48 teams and a Round of 32. Under the expanded format, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, qualify for the knockout stage.
