Nine nations from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) have advanced to the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, setting a new continental record.
In addition to setting a new milestone, the expanded 48-team tournament, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, featured 10 African representatives, which is by far the highest number ever.
With the format allowing the top two from each of the 12 groups, plus the 8 best third-placed sides, to progress, African nations secured 9 places in the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.
Tunisia was the only CAF side eliminated in the group stage.
African Qualifying Teams
In the knockout rounds, the qualifying teams include Algeria, Cape Verde, D.R. Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, and South Africa.
The Moroccan team’s achievement broke previous single-tournament records and built on the momentum of Morocco’s notable fourth-place finish in 2022.
Speaking to journalists in Johannesburg in December 2022, CAF President Patrice Motsepe argued that Morocco had shown that African teams could compete with and defeat the world’s best nations.
“I will never accept that an African nation cannot compete at the highest level in the world. Morocco has opened the door and made us proud,” Patrice Motsepe noted.
In the 2026 matches, Morocco maintained their performance in Group C, earning a 1–1 draw against Brazil before securing a 1–0 win over Scotland.
The team also beat Haiti 4–2, with goals from Achraf Hakimi, Ismael Saibari, Rahimi, and Yassine, securing an unbeaten 7 points and advancing as runners-up in Group C.
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South Africa
South Africa’s achievement enabled the team to reach the knockout stage for the first time in their history.
In Group A, they lost the opener 0-2 to co-hosts Mexico but drew 1-1 with Czechia, with Teboho Mokoena converting a late penalty.
However, the team later secured qualification by beating South Korea 1–0, with Thapelo Maseko scoring in the 63rd minute, with Bafana Bafana finishing with four points.
Cape Verde
Debutants Cape Verde produced one of the tournament’s most memorable scores in Group H, advancing unbeaten with three draws.
Cape Verde held Spain to a 0–0 draw, earning the Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha praise for his skills as a goalkeeper.
The team further recovered from behind to draw 2–2 with Uruguay.
During their match, Kevin Pina scored Cape Verde’s first World Cup goal from a long-range free kick, before Hélio Varela scored to level the match.
A final 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia sealed second place in Group H.
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Ivory Coast
Ivory Coast qualified for the knockout phase in Group E with six points.
The team defeated Ecuador 1-0, lost narrowly 2-1 to Germany, and clinched progression with a 2-0 win over Curaçao.
African Nations Performances
Egypt secured a 3-1 victory over New Zealand, while Ghana advanced with four points after a 0-0 draw against England.
On the other hand, Senegal recorded a 5-0 victory over Iraq, as the D.R.C. Congo claimed their first-ever World Cup win against Uzbekistan.
Algeria advanced through notable football performances, including a 2-1 win over Jordan.
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