Nine African teams in the knockouts: Africa's record World Cup

Africa had its best World Cup yet in 2026. Nine of the continent's ten teams reached the knockout stage of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The previous best was two African teams in the knockouts at a single World Cup.

Morocco went furthest, reaching the quarter-finals before losing 2-0 to France in Boston on 9 July. Four years earlier, in Qatar, they became the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final.

A group stage full of firsts

Africa had ten teams at the first 48-team World Cup, and nine of them made it through: Morocco, Senegal, Egypt, Algeria, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, DR Congo, South Africa and Cape Verde. Only Tunisia went out, after losing all three group matches.

• Cape Verde, playing at their first World Cup, held European champions Spain to a 0-0 draw and went through unbeaten after three draws.
• South Africa and Côte d'Ivoire reached the knockout stage for the first time.
• Morocco drew 1-1 with Brazil, and Senegal beat Iraq 5-0.

The knockout rounds

The round of 32 was harder. Morocco beat the Netherlands on penalties after a 1-1 draw, and Egypt beat Australia on penalties. The other seven went out:

• South Africa lost 1-0 to Canada to a stoppage-time goal.
• Côte d'Ivoire lost 2-1 to Norway.
• Senegal lost 3-2 to Belgium after extra time.
• DR Congo lost to England, with Harry Kane scoring twice.
• Algeria lost 2-0 to Switzerland.
• Ghana lost 1-0 to Colombia.
• Cape Verde took Argentina to extra time before losing 3-2 to an own goal.

In the round of 16, Morocco beat Canada 3-0. Egypt lost 3-2 to Argentina in a match overshadowed by a disallowed Egyptian goal; coach Hossam Hassan accused officials of favouring the world champions.

Morocco's run ended against France, with Kylian Mbappé scoring one goal and setting up another for Ousmane Dembélé.

What it means

Nine knockout teams does not yet mean an African World Cup winner. But it shows how much deeper the continent's football has become, from established powers like Morocco and Senegal to newcomers like Cape Verde.

Many of these squads are built on players at top European clubs. Read more: the African players who shaped the 2025-26 season.