Nine African nations reached the World Cup 2026 knockouts — a record. Here’s who’s through, who’s out, and who still has a shot, including Ghana’s date with Colombia this Saturday.
Even without the Super Eagles at this World Cup, Nigerian fans have had plenty to follow. A record nine African nations reached the Round of 32 in the expanded 48-team format, and by Thursday, July 2, the picture is starting to take shape — one team already through to the last 16, four already eliminated, and three more, including Ghana, still waiting for their knockout moment.
Here’s exactly where every African side stands heading into the rest of Round of 32 week.
Morocco are the first African team through to the Round of 16. They needed penalties to get past the Netherlands on June 30, with the tie finishing 1-1 after Issa Diop’s stoppage-time header forced extra time. Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou made a crucial save in the shootout before Ismael Saibari struck the winning spot-kick. Morocco now face Canada in Houston on Saturday, July 4, aiming to match or better their run to the semi-finals back in 2022. For squad news and their full route through the tournament, see our Morocco World Cup 2026 guide.
Ghana finished third in Group L after a 1-2 defeat to Croatia on the final matchday, but four points from their opening two games was enough to send them through as one of the best third-placed teams. It’s Ghana’s first appearance in a World Cup knockout round since they reached the quarter-finals in 2010, and Carlos Queiroz’s side now face Colombia in Kansas City on Saturday, July 4.
Nigerian fans without a Super Eagles side to cheer have largely adopted the Black Stars as this tournament’s African standard-bearers, and a first knockout win since that 2010 run would be a huge moment for West African football. Full squad details, fixture info and the road ahead are in our Ghana World Cup 2026 guide.
Algeria are in action tonight. They scraped into the Round of 32 as the last of the eight best third-placed sides after a wild 3-3 draw with Austria on matchday three, with Riyad Mahrez scoring twice. They face Switzerland at 04:00 WAT (July 3) in Vancouver, and a win would put a third African nation into the last 16. More on their route to the knockouts is in our Algeria World Cup 2026 guide.
Egypt play a day later. The Pharaohs finished second in Group G after a draw with Iran on the final matchday, and they take on Australia in Arlington on Friday, July 3. It’s a winnable tie on paper against a co-host nation playing above expectations, and a positive result would keep Africa’s knockout run building into the weekend. See our Egypt World Cup 2026 guide for the full picture.
Four African sides have already seen their World Cup end. Tunisia were the first to go, failing to progress from the group stage. South Africa were eliminated in the Round of 32, losing 0-1 to Canada in Los Angeles on June 28 — but reaching the knockouts at all was a historic first for Bafana Bafana.
Senegal’s exit was the most dramatic. They led Belgium by two goals with around five minutes left on July 1 before Belgium fought back to win 3-2 after extra time, completing one of the biggest comebacks of the tournament. DR Congo pushed England all the way in Atlanta the same day, only for a late Harry Kane double to seal a 2-1 win and end the Congolese run just short of a genuine upset. For match details and official updates from the tournament, check FIFA.com.
With Morocco through, Ghana, Egypt and Algeria all still alive, and only four of the original nine African qualifiers eliminated, this remains the best collective showing by African football at a World Cup. For a Nigerian audience watching without the Super Eagles, backing the continent’s remaining sides — starting with Algeria tonight and Ghana and Egypt this weekend — is the story to follow.
For today’s individual match tips, see our World Cup 2026 July 2 predictions and betting tips, and check our best betting sites in Nigeria guide for where to back Africa’s remaining teams.
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