African football has made history after a record nine teams qualified for the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
For the first time in the tournament’s history, nine African nations will play in the Round of 32, marking the continent’s strongest performance at the global showpiece.
The teams that have progressed are Morocco, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Senegal, Ghana, Algeria, DR Congo and Cape Verde.
Tunisia is the only African representative that failed to make it past the group stage.
The achievement is a major statement for African football, coming in the first expanded 48-team World Cup where the continent had 10 representatives.
South Africa made history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time, while Cape Verde continued its fairytale run by progressing in its maiden World Cup appearance.
DR Congo also marked its return to the tournament in style after sealing a place in the next round.
Morocco, who reached the semi-finals in 2022, once again showed their strength by advancing to the knockouts, while Egypt, Senegal, Ghana and Algeria ensured that Africa remained heavily represented in the next stage.
The qualification has set up several interesting fixtures, with South Africa facing Canada, Morocco meeting the Netherlands, Ivory Coast taking on Norway and Egypt playing Australia.
Senegal will battle Belgium, DR Congo face England, Ghana take on Colombia, Cape Verde meet Argentina, while Algeria will come up against Switzerland.
The record qualification is expected to raise fresh hopes that an African team can go deeper in the tournament and possibly break the long-standing barrier by reaching the World Cup final.
No African country has ever played in a World Cup final, but with nine teams still in contention, the continent now has its best chance yet to make another historic statement.
