Morocco are through to the last 16, Ghana, Egypt and Algeria are still to play, and two more African sides are in action today. Here’s the full picture.
The Super Eagles didn’t make it to World Cup 2026 — Nigeria fell to DR Congo on penalties in the November 2025 CAF playoffs — but African football is still very much alive at this tournament. A record nine African nations reached the Round of 32: Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cape Verde, Egypt, DR Congo and Algeria. For Nigerian fans, it means there’s still plenty to cheer for, even from the sidelines.
With the Round of 32 now past its halfway point, here’s exactly where every African team stands heading into July.
Morocco have been the standout African side so far. The Atlas Lions edged the Netherlands on penalties after a 3-2 thriller in the Round of 32, continuing their run as one of the continent’s most consistent performers on the world stage since their famous 2022 semi-final run. They now face co-hosts Canada in the round of 16, and after seeing off a European heavyweight already, few will fancy writing them off. Full details on their run and squad are in our Morocco World Cup 2026 guide.
Three African sides have their Round of 32 ties still ahead of them:
Ghana finished third in Group L after a narrow 1-2 loss to Croatia in their final group game, but four points from wins and draws earlier in the group were enough to see them through as one of the best third-placed teams. The Black Stars face Colombia in Kansas City, with kick-off in the early hours of July 4 WAT — their first World Cup knockout appearance since 2010. Full build-up is in our Ghana World Cup 2026 guide.
Egypt take on Australia on July 3, after finishing second in Group G. The Pharaohs have been solid without being spectacular, and this looks like one of the more even ties on the African side of the bracket. See our Egypt World Cup 2026 guide for more.
Algeria scraped through as the last of the eight best third-placed teams after a dramatic 3-3 draw with Austria, and now face Switzerland on July 2. It’s a tough draw against a well-organised European side, but the Desert Foxes have shown they can find goals when needed. More in our Algeria World Cup 2026 guide.
Two African teams are on the pitch this Wednesday. Senegal face Belgium at 9:00pm WAT in Seattle, coming through the group stage as one of the better third-placed sides. DR Congo take on England at 5:00pm WAT in Atlanta, having reached the knockouts on the back of a disciplined defensive campaign. Both games are covered in full, with betting tips, in our July 1 fixtures and predictions piece.
Not every African story has a happy ending so far. South Africa made history simply by reaching the knockouts for the first time, but Bafana Bafana were edged 1-0 by co-hosts Canada courtesy of a 92nd-minute winner. Ivory Coast pushed Norway all the way before Erling Haaland struck late to seal a 2-1 win in the Round of 32. Tunisia were the first African side eliminated, exiting at the group stage after defeats to Sweden and Japan.
Every African team left in this tournament is now carrying more than its own flag. With the Super Eagles watching from home, Nigerian fans have adopted Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria and DR Congo as the continent’s remaining hope of a first African run to a World Cup semi-final. Morocco have already shown it’s possible. Whether Senegal or DR Congo can join them tonight — and whether Ghana, Egypt and Algeria can follow in the coming days — will shape how far Africa goes at this tournament.
For live scores and official coverage, check FIFA.com.
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