Africa’s nine World Cup survivors learn Round of 32 opponents

Africa’s nine World Cup survivors learn Round of 32 opponents
Published:
Sunday, 28 June 2026

Africa will have nine representatives in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the conclusion of a dramatic group stage across the United States, Canada and Mexico

South Africa, Morocco, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, Egypt, Senegal, Ghana, Congo DR and Algeria have all extended their campaigns, giving the continent a strong presence in the first knockout phase

The expanded 48-team format has opened the door for more nations, but Africa’s teams have earned their places through a mix of historic firsts, disciplined performances and dramatic final-day results

South Africa and Côte d’Ivoire have reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, while Cape Verde have made history on their tournament debut

Morocco, Senegal, Ghana, Egypt, Algeria and Congo DR also remain alive, setting up a series of difficult but exciting ties against opponents from Europe, South America, North America and Asia

South Africa open Africa’s knockout campaign

South Africa will be the first African side in action when they face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on Sunday, 28 June

Bafana Bafana qualified from Group A as runners-up after recovering from an opening defeat to Mexico, drawing with Czechia and then beating Korea Republic

Their meeting with Canada will be a major test, but it is also a historic moment for South African football as they appear in the World Cup knockout phase for the first time

Morocco face Netherlands in heavyweight tie

Morocco will meet the Netherlands at Monterrey Stadium on Monday, 29 June

The Atlas Lions finished second in Group C behind Brazil after taking seven points, including a 4-2 win over Haiti in their final match

Having reached the semi-finals in 2022, Morocco will again carry major African expectations into the knockout rounds

Their clash with the Dutch is one of the standout fixtures of the Round of 32

Côte d’Ivoire meet Norway after historic qualification

Côte d’Ivoire will face Norway in Dallas on Tuesday, 30 June after finishing second in Group E

The Elephants booked their place with victories over Ecuador and Curaçao, reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time

Norway, led by their powerful attacking threat, will provide a major challenge, but Côte d’Ivoire enter the tie with confidence after breaking a long-standing barrier in their World Cup history

Senegal handed Belgium test

Senegal will face Belgium in Seattle on Wednesday, 1 July

The Lions of Teranga qualified as one of the best third-placed teams after ending their Group I campaign with a 5-0 victory over Iraq

That result revived Senegal’s tournament after earlier defeats by France and Norway

Belgium started slowly in Group G but finished strongly, meaning Senegal will need another big performance to continue their World Cup journey

Congo DR take on England

Congo DR will face England in Atlanta on Wednesday, 1 July

The Leopards secured their place as one of the best third-placed teams from Group K, finishing behind Colombia and Portugal

England topped Group L after wins over Croatia and Panama, alongside a draw against Ghana

For Congo DR, the tie is one of the toughest in the round, but it also gives them the chance to produce one of the biggest African statements of the tournament

Algeria face Switzerland in Vancouver

Algeria will meet Switzerland in Vancouver on Thursday, 2 July

The Desert Foxes qualified as the last of the eight best third-placed sides after a dramatic 3-3 draw with Austria in their final Group J match

They were seconds away from victory, but still did enough to remain in the tournament

Switzerland topped Group B with seven points, making this a demanding but important test for Algeria

Egypt face Australia in Dallas

Egypt will take on Australia in Dallas on Friday, 3 July

The Pharaohs finished second in Group G after drawing with Iran in their final group match

Their qualification had already been confirmed before kick-off, but the result ensured they progressed as runners-up

Australia finished second in Group D, setting up a tie that Egypt will see as difficult but winnable if they can bring control, experience and attacking efficiency

Cape Verde rewarded with Argentina clash

Cape Verde’s historic World Cup debut will continue with a glamour tie against defending champions Argentina in Miami on Friday, 3 July

The Blue Sharks went unbeaten in Group H, drawing with Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia to finish second

Their reward is a meeting with Lionel Messi’s Argentina, one of the tournament favourites

For Cape Verde, the fixture is another landmark moment in a campaign that has already captured global attention

Ghana meet Colombia in Kansas City

Ghana will face Colombia at Kansas City Stadium on Friday, 3 July

The Black Stars qualified from Group L as one of the best third-placed teams after a campaign that included victory over Panama, a goalless draw with England and a narrow defeat by Croatia

Colombia topped Group K after wins over Uzbekistan and Congo DR before drawing with Portugal

Ghana will need to improve after their loss to Croatia, but Carlos Queiroz’s side have already shown defensive discipline and tournament resilience

Africa’s Round of 32 fixtures

A defining round for African football

The Round of 32 will provide a serious test of Africa’s progress at the expanded World Cup

Some teams, such as Morocco and Senegal, carry recent tournament pedigree. Others, including South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and Cape Verde, are already making history

With nine teams still competing, Africa has a major opportunity to increase its influence on the global stage

The challenge now is to turn representation into results