Africa has reached a new milestone at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For the first time in the tournament's history, nine African national teams have qualified for the knockout stage.
This achievement comes during the first-ever 48-team edition of the World Cup. At the end of the group stage, Morocco, Senegal, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Egypt, Cape Verde, Algeria, and South Africa are all representing the African continent in the race for the title.
Among the qualified teams, DR Congo secured its place with an impressive 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan in Atlanta. The Leopards will face England on July 1.
Senegal will also play its Round of 32 match on the same day against Belgium in Seattle, in a World Cup fixture between the two nations for the first time. Morocco will take on the Netherlands on June 30 in Monterrey, while Ivory Coast will face Norway in Dallas.
The remaining fixtures will see Ghana take on Colombia on July 3 in Kansas City, while Egypt will meet Australia on June 29. Cape Verde will experience a historic moment with a clash against defending world champions Argentina on July 3 in Miami.
South Africa will look to continue its campaign against Canada in Los Angeles on June 28. Meanwhile, Algeria will face Switzerland on July 2 at Hard Rock Stadium for a place in the Round of 16.
Tunisia was the only African team unable to progress beyond the group stage. The other nine African representatives continue their World Cup journey in the tournament hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
The Round of 32 will be played from June 28 to July 4, before the competition moves on to the quarter-finals.
