As of June 29, 2026, nine African teams have advanced to the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, setting a new record for the continent. The teams are Morocco, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Cape Verde, Senegal, Algeria, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This surpasses the previous record of five African teams in the knockout stage, set in 2022.
The achievement highlights the growing strength of African football. Morocco, a semifinalist in 2022, leads the group, while debutants like Cape Verde have impressed. The expanded 48-team tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, has allowed more African nations to participate.
FIFA confirmed the match schedule for the round of 16, with games starting June 30. The African teams will face opponents from Europe, South America, and Asia. No African team has ever won the World Cup, but this record performance raises hopes for a deeper run.
