The 2026 FIFA World Cup has witnessed a historic milestone after nine African teams have successfully advanced to the tournament’s round of 32.
Out of the ten African teams that qualified for the global showpiece, an incredible 90% have booked their tickets to the Round of 32 of the 2026 World Cup tournament.
This unprecedented feat shatters Africa’s previous tournament record of just two teams progressing past the group stage (achieved in 2014 and 2022).
Algeria and the DR Congo are the latest teams from the continent to secure their last-32 tickets at the ongoing competition.
They join Morocco, South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Cape Verde, Ghana, and Senegal in the business end of the competition, breaking the previous record of just two African teams at a World Cup knockout round.
Tunisia is the only country on the continent to qualify for the World Cup, but failed to progress beyond the group stage.
DR Congo qualified after earning their first-ever World Cup victory, 3-1 over Uzbekistan, in their last group stage match on Saturday in Atlanta. Yoane Wissa’s brace and Fislon Mayele’s strike helped the Leopard turn around a game that started disastrously for them.
The victory takes DR Congo to the top of the eight best third-placed teams, and they will face England next on Wednesday.
Algeria also managed to squeeze into the last 32 through the best losers’ route. A 3-3 draw against Austria in their final group game ensured they displaced Iran for the final slot.
Ghana also clung to the third-placed ladder to advance despite their 2-1 loss to Croatia in their last Group game. The Black Stars will face Colombia in the next round on July 3.
Below are the Round of 32 Fixtures for African Teams at the 2026 World Cup
South Africa vs Canada — June 28 — 8 pm — Los Angeles Stadium
Netherlands vs Morocco — June 30 — 2 am — Estadio Monterrey
Ivory Coast vs Norway — June 30 — 6 pm — Dallas Stadium
England vs DR Congo — July 1 — 5 am — Atlanta Stadium
Belgium vs Senegal — July 1 — 9 pm — Seattle Stadium
Switzerland vs Algeria — July 3 — 4 am — BC Place, Vancouver
Australia vs Egypt — July 3 — 7 pm — Dallas Stadium
Argentina vs Cape Verde — July 3 — 11 pm — Miami Stadium
Colombia vs Ghana — July 4 — 2:30 am — Kansas City Stadium
