There are eight African nations left at the FIFA World Cup after Bafana’s defeat to Canada. Can one of them go on to win the thing?
Remaining World Cup Round of 32 ties
Morocco are the first African side safely into the round of 16 after their dramatic penalty shootout win against the Netherlands. Many pundits believe they represent the best chance of an African side lifting the trophy. Next up for the Atlas Lions is a Round of 16 tie against South Africa’s conquerors, Canada, in the heat of Houston on July 4th. They’re also on a potential collision course with France at the quarter-final stage. There are seven other sides from the continent still in the running. Next on the agenda is Ivory Coast vs Norway.
- Ivory Coast vs Norway: Tue 30 Jun, 19:00
- France vs Sweden: Tue 30 Jun, 23:00
- Mexico vs Ecuador: Wed 1 Jul, 03:00
- England vs DR Congo: Wed 1 Jul, 18:00
- Belgium vs Senegal: Wed 1 Jul, 22:00
- USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina: Thu 2 Jul, 02:00
- Spain vs Austria: Thu 2 Jul, 21:00
- Portugal vs Croatia: Fri 3 Jul, 01:00
- Switzerland vs Algeria: Fri 3 Jul, 05:00
- Australia vs Egypt: Fri 3 Jul, 20:00
- Argentina vs Cabo Verde: Sat 4 Jul, 00:00
- Colombia vs Ghana: Sat 4 Jul, 03:30
Chicago Fire and Bafana Bafana defender Mbekezeli Mbokazi has well and truly put himself in the shop window. Stellar displays for South Africa at the World Cup have alerted high-profile suitors, making an exit from the United States MLS feel inevitable.
Expect the unexpected at World Cup 2026
Although things went according to the script when Brazil beat Japan in stoppage time, the same can’t be said in other encounters. Germany fell to Paraguay on penalties, and Morocco also needed spot-kicks to down another European opponent, the Netherlands. It would be foolish to bet against more shocks at the tournament unfolds.
