With the World Cup 2026 group stage reaching its climax, we assess how Africa’s representatives have performed and who stands on the verge of the knockout rounds.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup was always going to be the tournament where African football announced itself to the world. With a record ten CAF nations qualifying for the expanded 48-team event, the continent has more representation than ever before. As the group stage reaches its final day on June 27, the picture for Africa is a fascinating mix of triumph, heartbreak and nail-biting drama.
Here is the complete African team-by-team assessment as we approach the Round of 32.
Ghana are the African team with the best chance of a deep run at this tournament, and tonight they face their biggest test. The Black Stars take on Croatia at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia (02:00 WAT, Sunday June 28) knowing that a draw is enough to advance.
After two matches, Ghana sit second in Group L on 4 points — equal with England but behind on goal difference. They beat Panama 1-0 on Matchday 1 and held England to a goalless draw on Matchday 2. It has been a disciplined, professional campaign from coach Otto Addo.
Croatia, in third on 3 points, must win. The Vatreni have quality — Luka Modrić, Mateo Kovačić — but Ghana’s defensive structure has been the best of any African side at this tournament.
Verdict: Ghana to qualify. A draw is enough and we back the Black Stars to hold their nerve.
For the full Ghana preview, visit our Ghana World Cup 2026 guide.
What a statement from the Lions of Teranga. Senegal demolished Iraq 5-0 on June 27 to finish the group stage in emphatic style. With France also winning comfortably against Norway in the same group, Senegal advance as group runners-up with a performance that has made the entire African football world take notice.
Sadio Mané and the Senegal attack were unstoppable today. A five-goal haul in the final group game confirms Senegal as one of the tournament’s dark horses heading into the knockout rounds.
They will enter the Round of 32 with confidence sky-high and opponents wary. Keep an eye on them.
For more on Senegal’s campaign, see our Senegal World Cup 2026 guide.
DR Congo’s World Cup journey continues with a final group-stage match against already-eliminated Uzbekistan at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta (04:30 WAT, Sunday June 28). The Leopards sit third in Group K on 1 point — they need a win, and ideally a convincing one, to build a goal difference that could see them advance as one of the best third-placed teams.
Colombia lead Group K with 6 points, Portugal are second with 4. DR Congo know the formula: beat Uzbekistan well and pray that results elsewhere are kind.
This DR Congo side is talented — they have forwards capable of damage and they were Nigeria’s tormentors in the CAF World Cup playoffs. Nigerian fans will follow this one with a mixture of emotion and respect.
For more, see our DR Congo World Cup 2026 guide.
Morocco finished their group stage earlier in the tournament and have already confirmed their place in the Round of 32, with the Atlas Lions continuing their rise as a genuine continental powerhouse following their 2022 semi-final heroics. Their organisation, energy and tactical flexibility have once again impressed at this tournament.
See the full breakdown at our Morocco World Cup 2026 guide.
Other African nations at the tournament have had mixed fortunes. South Africa (Group A) and Tunisia (Group F) have been competing in their respective groups, while Egypt (Group G) and Algeria (Group J) have faced tough draws. The expanded format means more African teams survive to the knockout stage, and this World Cup has demonstrated that the gap between African football and the established powers continues to narrow.
At the very minimum, Senegal and Morocco are confirmed in the knockout rounds. Ghana stand on the brink of joining them tonight. If DR Congo can produce a strong result against Uzbekistan, they too could slip through as a third-placed team.
This is the most African teams the World Cup has ever produced. And with Ghana’s clash against Croatia tonight being one of the must-watch matches of the entire group stage, June 27 could be remembered as the night African football truly arrived at this tournament.
Set your alarms. 02:00 WAT. Ghana need you.
For betting tips on tonight’s African team matches, check our World Cup 2026 June 27 fixtures preview and our accumulator tips.
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