The 2026 World Cup has entered its business end as 16 teams battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals. While Africa came into the Round of 32 with nine teams, only Morocco and Egypt will fly the continent’s flag in the next stage of the competition.
They were among a record nine African nations that progressed from the group stage out of 10 that started the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Of the ten contenders from the continent, only Tunisia failed to reach the knockouts for the expanded 48-team tournament.
However, only Morocco and Egypt made the next step to the last 16, with Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Cape Verde, Algeria, and Ghana falling by the wayside.
The race for the 2026 FIFA World Cup trophy enters the Round of 16 this evening as the surviving teams battle for a place in the quarter-finals.
Africa’s hopes rest on Morocco and Egypt, while France are on a quest to reach a third successive World Cup final.
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Morocco, semi-finalists in the 2022 World Cup, defeated the Netherlands on penalties to make the cut. Egypt saw off competition from Australia, winning 4-2 on penalties after normal time and extra time ended 1-1.
The Atlas Lions dominated Brazil for long spells of their opening 1-1 draw and look ready to surpass their semi-finalist record, the first African side to do so at the World Cup, in North America.
“We need to believe in this objective, this target (to win the World Cup),” said Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi. “Morocco have entered a whole new dimension. The players, the fans believe in their team, and our opponents respect our team.”
They will take on co-hosts Canada in the last 32 encounter, aiming to make it to the next phase of the tournament.
For Egypt, the Pharaohs saw through a tense affair with Australia to reach the World Cup last 16 on Friday. Lionel Messi’s Argentina loom next, as long as the reigning champions avoid a massive upset against tournament debutants Cape Verde in their last-32 encounter.
After the victory over the Soccerros, Mohamed Salah, who scored the coolest of penalties on the night, described it as historic.
“It’s history,” said Salah, who was emotional after his country won a World Cup knockout game for the first time. “I told the boys before the game that this is the biggest stage you can play on. Enjoy it and don’t let the pressure get to you.”
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