Round of 32 Fixtures Confirmed as Record Nine African Teams Reach World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage
History was made at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a record nine African nations advancing to the Round of 32 after an outstanding group-stage campaign.
In the first-ever 48-team FIFA World Cup, Africa has enjoyed its most successful performance in the group stage of competition’s history.
Nine of the continent’s 10 representatives secured qualification for the knockout stage, with only Tunisia failing to progress.
Morocco, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Cape Verde, Senegal, Ghana, Algeria and DR Congo will all fly Africa’s flag in the making it out of their group, representing 90% success rate in the group.
The feat surpassed the continent’s previous best collective performance at the global showpiece after the group stage.
The historic achievement underlines the remarkable progress of African football and strengthens hopes that the continent could produce its first-ever FIFA World Cup winner.
The knockout phase gets underway on Sunday, June 28, with co-hosts Canada taking on South Africa in the opening Round of 32 fixture.
Africa’s representatives face a series of intriguing encounters. Morocco meet European heavyweights the Netherlands, while Senegal take on Belgium.
Ivory Coast face Norway, Egypt square off against Australia, Ghana lock horns with Colombia, Algeria tackle Switzerland, and tournament debutants Cape Verde face defending champions Argentina.
One of the standout fixtures will see DR Congo take on England after the Leopards completed a stunning comeback victory over Uzbekistan to qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time.
With nine nations still in the tournament, Africa heads into the knockout stage with unprecedented representation and renewed belief that the continent can make further history on football’s biggest stage.
The African teams will be hoping to surpass to become the first African team to play in the grand finale or win the trophy, a feat no African teams has ever achieved.
Full Round of 32 Fixtures
Germany vs Paraguay
France vs Sweden
Canada vs South Africa
Netherlands vs Morocco
Portugal vs Croatia
United States vs Bosnia
Belgium vs Senegal
Brazil vs Japan
Ivory Coast vs Norway
Mexico vs Ecuador
England vs DR Congo
Argentina vs Cape Verde
Australia vs Egypt
Colombia vs Ghana
Switzerland vs Algeria
Spain vs Austria
