Three African nations have secured places in the Round of 32 at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Morocco, South Africa, and Côte d’Ivoire carrying the continent’s hopes into the knockout stage of the expanded tournament.
Morocco booked their place after finishing runners-up in Group C, setting up a Round of 32 showdown against Group F winners, the Netherlands, on June 29. The Atlas Lions advanced after defeating Haiti 4-2 and will be hoping to build on their historic semi-final appearance at the 2022 World Cup.
South Africa also made history by reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. Bafana Bafana recovered from an opening defeat to co-hosts Mexico by drawing with Czechia and defeating Korea Republic to finish second in Group A.
The South Africans will now face Canada in the Round of 32.
Côte d’Ivoire also progressed after beating Curaçao 2-0 to finish second in Group E. Nicolas Pépé scored both goals as the Elephants reached the World Cup knockout rounds and kept alive Africa’s hopes of making a deep run in the competition.
The continent could yet have more representatives in the Round of 32. Egypt leads Group G with four points from two matches, while Ghana sits second in Group L on goal difference behind England heading into their final group fixtures.
Cabo Verde remains in contention in Group H, while Algeria occupies third place in Group J with three points. Senegal and DR Congo are also still mathematically alive through the competition’s ranking system for the best third-placed teams.
Elsewhere, hosts Mexico and the United States, alongside Germany, Argentina, France, Norway, Colombia, Switzerland, Canada, Brazil, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, and Sweden, have all booked their places in the Round of 32.
Tunisia is the only African side already eliminated from the competition, joining Haiti, Türkiye, Jordan, Panama, Qatar, Czechia, and Curaçao among the teams that have exited the tournament.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first edition to feature 48 teams and a round of 32, with the top two teams from each of the 12 groups and the eight best third-placed sides progressing to the knockout stage.
