As the group stage enters its final stretch, where do Africa’s eight World Cup teams stand? Ghana drew with England, Morocco are flying, and South Africa face do-or-die tonight. Full update.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has reached Day 14 and the group stage is beginning to deliver its verdict on the continent of Africa. Eight African nations qualified for this tournament — the most in any World Cup in history — and their collective fortunes have ranged from outstanding to frustrating. With the group stage entering its final matchday for several groups, the time to take stock has arrived.
Ghana drew with England on June 23 in a goalless contest that kept the Black Stars’ knockout hopes very much alive. Morocco are flying in Group C. South Africa face a critical final group game tonight against South Korea. And across the rest of the tournament, the other five African representatives have varying levels of hope and heartbreak to process. Here is a complete update on every African team at World Cup 2026, and what comes next.
The Black Stars drew 0-0 with England at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on June 23, and the result is better than it might appear. Ghana now sit on points in Group L alongside the Three Lions, who were widely expected to dominate their group. Otto Addo’s successor has organised Ghana into a resolute defensive unit that is difficult to break — England, with the full firepower of Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka, could not find a way through.
Ghana’s challenge is that Group L also contains Croatia — who beat Panama on the same matchday — and the final round of fixtures will determine which sides advance. The Black Stars need to maximise their return in their final group game to reach the Round of 32. For Nigerian fans, Ghana carry the flag of West African football through this bracket.
For the full breakdown of Ghana’s squad, fixtures and group situation, see the full Ghana World Cup 2026 guide.
Morocco have been the standout African story of World Cup 2026. Walid Regragui’s Atlas Lions sit on four points in Group C after drawing with Brazil and beating Scotland, and they face a formality against eliminated Haiti in Atlanta at 23:00 WAT tonight. A win confirms them in the top two of Group C — and potentially as group winners if Brazil drop points against Scotland, which appears unlikely.
The Atlas Lions continue to play the kind of disciplined, technically gifted football that carried them to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup. Achraf Hakimi remains one of the tournament’s most electric players. Sofyan Amrabat controls midfield with composure. And coach Regragui has built a team that is hard to break down and clinical on the counter. Morocco could be a significant force in the knockout rounds. See the Morocco World Cup 2026 squad and fixtures for everything you need to know.
Bafana Bafana are alive but need a result. South Africa are on one point in Group A — a point earned in a creditable draw earlier in the group stage — but they face South Korea at 02:00 WAT tonight (June 25) knowing that only a win keeps their World Cup alive. South Korea have three points and can afford to draw; South Africa cannot.
It is a difficult ask. Percy Tau, Themba Zwane and the Bafana squad have shown genuine quality in flashes, but South Korea’s experience and technical ability — led by the incomparable Heung-min Son — make them formidable opponents. South Africa fans across the continent, including millions in Nigeria who followed their story closely, will be watching with hope. For the complete situation, visit the South Africa World Cup 2026 guide.
DR Congo — the team that ended Nigeria’s World Cup dream on penalties in the November 2025 CAF playoffs — have found life in Group K difficult against elite European opposition. Colombia beat them 1-0 on June 23. Their campaign continues with fixtures still to play, but the path to the knockout stage has narrowed considerably. For Nigerian fans, there is complicated emotion in watching the side that denied the Super Eagles their World Cup place — but every African team advancing represents the continent. See the DR Congo World Cup 2026 guide for their full story.
Tunisia (Group F), Algeria (Group J), Egypt (Group G) and Senegal (Group I) have all been in action across the opening two weeks of the tournament. The 2026 World Cup’s expanded 48-team format — with 12 groups of four and a new Round of 32 — means that even third-placed finishers can advance, giving each of these sides a genuine route to the knockout stages if they perform in their final group matches.
This is the most significant structural advantage African football has ever had at a World Cup. With eight teams and the possibility of third-placed qualification, the continent could send as many as five or six sides into the Round of 32. For the latest on each team, visit their dedicated profile pages:
Senegal World Cup 2026 guide | Algeria World Cup 2026 guide | Tunisia World Cup 2026 guide | Egypt World Cup 2026 guide
No piece on this tournament for a Nigerian audience would be complete without acknowledging the elephant in the room. The Super Eagles were knocked out on penalties by DR Congo in the November 2025 CAF playoffs, and Nigeria are not in the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer. It stings.
But this World Cup has given Nigerian football fans every reason to stay engaged. Ghana play in a group that keeps them in the drama. Morocco are potential quarter-finalists. South Africa fight tonight for survival. African football has never been better represented at a World Cup, and watching eight nations carry the continent’s flag is compelling viewing even without the Eagles.
The 2026 World Cup is also a reminder of how much ground Nigerian football must close to be at this party in 2030. The debates about the Super Eagles, CAF qualifying reform and the future of Nigerian club football will continue well beyond this tournament. For now, the focus is on the African sides still standing — and there are enough of them to keep the continental faithful fully invested through the group stage and beyond.
South Africa vs South Korea — 02:00 WAT (June 25), Estadio BBVA, Monterrey
Morocco vs Haiti — 23:00 WAT, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Both matches are available on SuperSport and Canal+ Sport across sub-Saharan Africa.
