Seven African teams through to World Cup round of 32

Seven African nations have qualified for the Round of 32 at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, underlining the continent’s strong performance at the first expanded 48-team edition of the tournament.

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Of the 10 African teams participating, Morocco, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Cabo Verde, Senegal and Ghana have all secured places in the knockout stage.

Algeria and DR Congo remain in contention and will battle for qualification in their final group matches on Sunday, June 28. Morocco booked their place after finishing second in Group C with 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 also made history by reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. After losing their opening match to co-hosts Mexico, Bafana Bafana recovered with a draw against Czechia and a victory over South Korea to finish second in Group A. They will take on Canada on June 28.

Côte d’Ivoire advanced after finishing second in Group E, having recorded victories over Ecuador and Curaçao. The Elephants will face the runners-up from Group I in the Round of 32 on June 30.

Egypt also progressed as Group G runners-up after drawing 1-1 with Iran in their final group match. The Pharaohs are scheduled to face Australia in Dallas on Friday. Tournament debutants Cabo Verde c ontinued their impressive campaign by finishing unbeaten in Group H after drawing against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. The Islanders have been drawn against defending champions Argentina in Miami on Friday.

Senegal qualified as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams following a commanding 5-0 victory over Iraq in their final Group I fixture. Ghana also secured passage to the knockout stage before playing their final Group L match, with their four-point tally and results in other groups guaranteeing qualification.

Algeria remain in contention for a place in the Round of 32. The North Africans are level on three points with Austria in Group J, with Sunday’s meeting between the two sides set to determine who advances. DR Congo also retain a mathematical chance of qualifying. They sit third in Group K with one point and must defeat Uzbekistan while hoping Portugal lose to Colombia to progress.

Elsewhere, co-hosts Mexico and the United States, alongside Germany, Argentina, France, Norway, Colombia, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador and Sweden have also secured qualification for the Round of 32.

Tunisia are the only African nation eliminated 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 tournament’s new format, the top two teams from each of the 12 groups, along with the eight best third-placed teams, advance to the knockout stage.