As of June 28, 2026, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has set a new record for African representation, with nine nations advancing to the round of 16. This marks the highest number of African teams to reach the knockout stage in a single tournament.
The qualified teams include Morocco, Senegal, Nigeria, Egypt, Cameroon, Ghana, Tunisia, Algeria, and Ivory Coast. Their performances have highlighted the growing strength of African football on the global stage.
FIFA expanded the tournament to 48 teams for the 2026 edition, which has allowed more nations from Africa to participate and succeed. The round of 16 matches are scheduled to begin on June 29, 2026.
