Seven African countries have secured qualification for the Round of 32 at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, underlining the continent’s impressive performance at the first-ever 48-team edition of the tournament.
With 10 African teams competing in the expanded competition, Morocco, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Cabo Verde, Senegal and Ghana have all confirmed their places in the knockout stage.
Algeria and DR Congo remain in contention and will fight for qualification in their final group matches scheduled for Sunday, June 28.
Morocco booked their place after finishing runners-up in Group C, sealing qualification with a 4-2 victory over Haiti. The Atlas Lions will now 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 before defeating Korea Republic to finish second in Group A. They will now take on Canada on June 28.
Côte d’Ivoire progressed from Group E after victories over Ecuador and Curaçao secured a second-place finish. The Elephants are set to face the runners-up from Group I in the Round of 32 on June 30.
Egypt also advanced after finishing second in Group G. A 1-1 draw against Iran in their final group match was enough to send the Pharaohs through, where they will face Australia in Dallas on Friday.
Tournament debutants Cabo Verde continued their remarkable campaign by emerging unbeaten from Group H following draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. The Islanders have been rewarded with a high-profile Round of 32 clash against defending champions Argentina in Miami on Friday.
Senegal qualified as one of the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams after an emphatic 5-0 victory over Iraq in their final Group I fixture.
Ghana also secured a place in the knockout stage before playing their final Group L match, with four points and favourable results elsewhere guaranteeing their progression.
Among the remaining African teams, Algeria are level on three points with Austria in Group J, with Sunday’s meeting between both sides set to determine who advances as runners-up.
DR Congo, meanwhile, retain only a slim chance of qualification. They sit third in Group K with one point and must defeat Uzbekistan while hoping Portugal lose to Colombia to stand any chance of progressing.
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 advanced to the Round of 32.
Tunisia are the only African side already eliminated from the tournament, joining Haiti, Türkiye, Jordan, Panama, Qatar, Czechia and Curaçao.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition to feature 48 teams, with the top two teams from each of the 12 groups and the eight best third-placed teams progressing to the newly introduced Round of 32.
