Nine of Africa’s ten teams reached the knockout phase at the FIFA World Cup 2026™
Morocco fell short of matching their 2022 heroics, but still carried African hopes through to the quarter-finals
From first-timers to familiar contenders, the continent’s sides left a vivid mark on the tournament
The welcomed ten African qualifiers, twice the number that competed in Qatar four years earlier. With that expanded presence came a greater platform for the continent’s football to shine, and they duly delivered.
Before this edition, African teams had recorded 37 victories across nearly a century of World Cup history. In 2026 alone, they added 11 more. Nine of the continent’s ten representatives made it out of the group stage, though not every side enjoyed the same level of success. FIFA looks back at how each side fared.
arrived on the back of a flawless qualifying run in defensive terms, having won nine and drawn one without conceding a goal. Yet Sabri Lamouchi, appointed in January, was dismissed after a 5-1 opening defeat by Sweden.
Hervé Renard stepped in, but even his vast tournament experience could not spark a turnaround, with further Group F defeats against Japan (4-0) and the Netherlands (3-1).
On their World Cup debut, produced one of the stories of the tournament, standing toe-to-toe with three former world champions. The Blue Sharks first frustrated Spain in a goalless draw, with goalkeeper Vozinha outstanding, before holding Uruguay 2-2 and recording another stalemate against Saudi Arabia. They came close to a famous upset against Argentina too, forcing the reigning champions into extra time before eventually falling to a 3-2 defeat.
enjoyed an impressive campaign. Draws against Belgium (1-1) and IR Iran (1-1), followed by a 3-1 win over New Zealand, took the Pharaohs through their group. They then eliminated Australia on penalties in the round of 32 (1-1 a.e.t., 4-2 on penalties), setting up a breathless round of 16 meeting with Argentina. Egypt led 2-0 until the 79th minute, only for Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi to strike in quick succession before Enzo Fernández landed the decisive late blow.
, meanwhile, were unable to repeat their historic opening win over France from 2002, losing 3-1. The Lions of Teranga then fell to Norway, with Erling Haaland scoring twice in a 3-2 defeat, before ending the group stage in style with a commanding 5-0 win over Iraq. In the round of 32, they were within sight of progression after leading Belgium 2-0 with four minutes of normal time remaining. Two goals in three minutes forced extra time, where a Youri Tielemans penalty in the 125th minute ended their hopes just before a shoot-out beckoned.
played some of the most exciting football of the tournament, inspired in particular by the emerging talents of Yan Diomandé and Amad Diallo. The latter scored the only goal of the opening match against Ecuador, but could do nothing to stop a resurgent Germany, who prevailed through a Deniz Undav double completed in added time (2-1). Nicolas Pepé followed suit against Curaçao (2-0), and Diallo struck again against Norway, who nevertheless found a late winner to bring the Ivorians’ run to an end in the round of 32 (2-1).
produced Africa’s deepest run, reaching the quarter-finals before a 2-0 defeat by France, yet the ambitious semi-finalists from Qatar 2022 will still feel a measure of disappointment. The Atlas Lions began strongly, holding five-time world champions Brazil to a 1-1 draw before beating Scotland thanks to Ismael Saibari’s goal straight from kick-off (1-0).
After completing their group campaign with a measured 4-2 victory over Haiti, Saibari then held his nerve from the spot to see off the Netherlands in the round of 32 (1-1 a.e.t., 3-2 on penalties). Azzedine Ounahi’s brace powered Morocco past Canada in the next round (3-0), before Les Bleus found a way to dampen the Atlas Lions’ sparkling football.
Back at the World Cup for the first time since 2014, delivered a respectable campaign. The Desert Foxes opened with a 3-0 defeat by Argentina, inspired by a Lionel Messi hat-trick, but responded by beating Jordan 2-1 after falling behind. Their group stage ended in cruel fashion: Riyad Mahrez appeared to have snatched victory by completing a stoppage-time brace, only for Saša Kalajdžić to earn Austria a point in the final seconds. Algeria advanced to the round of 32, where they were beaten 2-0 by an impressive Switzerland side.
also had plenty to write home about, including a stoppage-time 1-0 win over Panama which set the tone, before the Black Stars dug deep to hold England to a 0-0 draw despite relentless pressure (19 shots to 2). They were then edged 2-1 by Croatia despite finding an equaliser, but still progressed to the next round, where Jhon Arias’ goal gave Colombia a slender 1-0 win.
Having qualified through the Play-Off Tournament, made a strong start by drawing 1-1 with Portugal before suffering a 1-0 defeat by Colombia. Yoane Wissa, already on target in the opening match, struck twice against Uzbekistan (3-1) to send the Leopards into the round of 32. Brian Cipenga gave them an early lead against England, but a Harry Kane double ultimately brought their campaign to a close.
Finally, faced two of the tournament’s three host nations and even had the honour of contesting the opening match, where they lost 2-0 after finishing with nine players. Teboho Mokoena then rescued a 1-1 draw against Czechia with an 83rd-minute penalty, before Thapelo Maseko secured a 1-0 win over Korea Republic. In the round of 32, Bafana Bafana resisted Canada until added time, only to bow out to Stephen Eustáquio’s last gasp winner in the 92nd minute.
Sources: FIFA Official
