Africa came to the FIFA World Cup 2026 with ten teams and a point to prove. Nine of them are still standing.
Updated June 28, 2026
Before 2026, only six African countries had ever reached the knockout stage in World Cup history. Nine just did it in one tournament.
Tunisia were the only side who could not make it through. The rest did with the kind of character that makes you proud to watch African football.
South Africa reached the knockout stage for the first time in their history, having hosted the 2010 World Cup without getting out of the group on home soil. Cape Verde advanced on their debut with three draws and zero wins, becoming the smallest nation ever to reach the World Cup knockouts. DR Congo ended a 52 year absence from the World Cup with a comeback win to seal their place.
Senegal lost their first two games and responded by crushing Iraq 5-0 in a must-win final match to sneak through as one of the best third-placed teams. Algeria lost to Argentina in their opener, then scored twice in stoppage time against Austria to force a 3-3 thriller and go through.
Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire did not need the drama. They handled their business and moved on.
Ghana’s 0-0 draw with England became the most watched World Cup broadcast in BBC history, pulling 15.4 million viewers at its peak. A goalless game and still nobody turned off. That is the world paying attention to African football in a way it never quite has before.
Nine teams. Nine chances. Africa is not done. Check back after every round as we follow the journey to the end.
Africa Is Here. FIFA World Cup 2026
The Food That Carried Us: A Juneteenth Story
Your Nearest African Grocery Store Is on Dishout
Because home should be just one tap away
