ATLANTA — African football reached an unprecedented milestone at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a record nine nations secured places in the knockout stage, shattering the previous tournament best of two.The historic achievement was completed on Saturday after DR Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 and Algeria advanced following a dramatic 3-3 draw with Austria.Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cape Verde, Egypt, DR Congo and Algeria will all feature in the round of 32, underlining the growing strength and depth of African football on the world stage.The previous record for African representation in the knockout rounds was two teams, achieved at the 2014 and 2022 World Cups. Before this year’s tournament, only six African nations had ever progressed beyond the group stage.Morocco, which became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semifinal at Qatar 2022, once again looks among the continent’s leading contenders after an unbeaten group-stage campaign that included a draw against Brazil.Tournament debutants Cape Verde and DR Congo have emerged as two of the biggest surprises of the competition, with Cape Verde finishing ahead of two-time world champion Uruguay to reach the knockout stage in its first World Cup appearance.DR Congo also made history by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time after defeating Uzbekistan 3-1 to book a last-32 meeting with England.”It’s really historic for our country, Congo,” forward Fiston Mayele said after the victory. “It’s the first win and the first knockout stage. Everyone in my country is happy with what we did. We’re proud to be Congolese.”Yoane Wissa, who scored twice in the decisive victory, said the achievement reflected years of work by the current generation.”It’s only the second time we are in the World Cup, 52 years later,” Wissa said. “Nothing is easy in football. We showed resilience, and when a moment like this comes, you have to enjoy it.”Algeria sealed its place in extraordinary fashion after twice surrendering leads in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Austria. Captain Riyad Mahrez appeared to have secured victory with a stoppage-time goal before Austria equalized with virtually the final kick of the match, a result that sent both teams through and eliminated Iran.Wissa believes Africa’s historic showing signals a bright future for the continent.”Now every African team can dream big,” he said. “Morocco reached the semifinals at the last World Cup, and now we have nine teams in the knockout stage. Young African players are coming through earlier, and our federations can dream even bigger.”Africa’s record-breaking representation sets up several intriguing knockout ties, with Morocco facing the Netherlands, Algeria taking on Switzerland, Egypt meeting Australia, Cape Verde facing defending champion Argentina, DR Congo playing England, Senegal meeting Belgium, Ivory Coast taking on Norway, Ghana facing Colombia and South Africa opening the knockout stage against Canada.
ATLANTA — African football reached an unprecedented milestone at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a record nine nations secured places in the knockout stage, shattering the previous tournament best of two.The historic achievement was completed on Saturday after DR Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 and Algeria advanced following a dramatic 3-3 draw with Austria.Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cape Verde, Egypt, DR Congo and Algeria will all feature in the round of 32, underlining the growing strength and depth of African football on the world stage.The previous record for African representation in the knockout rounds was two teams, achieved at the 2014 and 2022 World Cups. Before this year’s tournament, only six African nations had ever progressed beyond the group stage.Morocco, which became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semifinal at Qatar 2022, once again looks among the continent’s leading contenders after an unbeaten group-stage campaign that included a draw against Brazil.Tournament debutants Cape Verde and DR Congo have emerged as two of the biggest surprises of the competition, with Cape Verde finishing ahead of two-time world champion Uruguay to reach the knockout stage in its first World Cup appearance.DR Congo also made history by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time after defeating Uzbekistan 3-1 to book a last-32 meeting with England.”It’s really historic for our country, Congo,” forward Fiston Mayele said after the victory. “It’s the first win and the first knockout stage. Everyone in my country is happy with what we did. We’re proud to be Congolese.”Yoane Wissa, who scored twice in the decisive victory, said the achievement reflected years of work by the current generation.”It’s only the second time we are in the World Cup, 52 years later,” Wissa said. “Nothing is easy in football. We showed resilience, and when a moment like this comes, you have to enjoy it.”Algeria sealed its place in extraordinary fashion after twice surrendering leads in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Austria. Captain Riyad Mahrez appeared to have secured victory with a stoppage-time goal before Austria equalized with virtually the final kick of the match, a result that sent both teams through and eliminated Iran.Wissa believes Africa’s historic showing signals a bright future for the continent.”Now every African team can dream big,” he said. “Morocco reached the semifinals at the last World Cup, and now we have nine teams in the knockout stage. Young African players are coming through earlier, and our federations can dream even bigger.”Africa’s record-breaking representation sets up several intriguing knockout ties, with Morocco facing the Netherlands, Algeria taking on Switzerland, Egypt meeting Australia, Cape Verde facing defending champion Argentina, DR Congo playing England, Senegal meeting Belgium, Ivory Coast taking on Norway, Ghana facing Colombia and South Africa opening the knockout stage against Canada.
