FIFA World Cup 2026 | Nine African teams remain in contention

Africa’s challenge at FIFA World Cup 2026 remains strong, with nine nations still in contention for places in the Round of 32.

However, Tunisia became the first African side to be eliminated.

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Morocco have been Africa’s standout performers so far, collecting four points from their opening two matches to move to the brink of qualification.

Ghana also made an impressive start with victory in their opening fixture.

Still in the hunt

Bafana Bafana remain in the hunt despite a difficult start to Group A.

Hugo Broos’ men will head into a decisive clash against South Korea knowing a victory could keep their FIFA World Cup 2026 dream alive.

With the expanded 48-team format offering more opportunities than ever before, Africa is hoping to send a record number of teams into the knockout stages.

As the group phase reaches its climax, the continent’s remaining representatives will be looking to turn promise into history on football’s biggest stage.

South Africa (Group A)

4th place, 1 point from 2 matches.
Lost 2-0 to Mexico and drew 1-1 with Czechia.
Must get a positive result against South Korea in their final group match and hope other results go their way.
Still alive, but under pressure.

Morocco (Group C)

2nd place, 4 points from 2 matches.
Drew 1-1 with Brazil and beat Scotland 1-0.
One foot in the Round of 32 and among Africa’s strongest performers so far.

Ivory Coast (Group E)

2nd place, 3 points from 2 matches.
Beat Curacao before losing narrowly to Germany.
Qualification remains firmly in their own hands heading into the final round.

Egypt (Group G)

Joint top of Group G with 1 point.
Opened with a 1-1 draw against Belgium.
The group remains wide open, giving the Pharaohs a strong chance of progressing.

Senegal (Group I)

3rd place, 0 points after one match.
Lost 3-1 to France in their opener.
Still have matches against Norway and Iraq to revive their campaign.

Algeria (Group J)

Bottom of Group J after losing 3-0 to Argentina.
Must respond against Jordan and Austria to keep qualification hopes alive.
Facing an uphill battle but not out yet.

DR Congo (Group K)

2nd place, 1 point.
Earned a valuable 1-1 draw with Portugal.
Well positioned to challenge for a knockout spot.

Ghana (Group L)

2nd place, 3 points from one match.
Opened with an impressive 1-0 victory over Panama.
One of Africa’s best starts to the tournament.

Cape Verde (Group H)

4th place but level on points with every team in the group.
Drew 0-0 with Spain.
Group H is completely open, leaving Cape Verde with a realistic chance of qualification.

❌ Tunisia (Eliminated)

Bottom of Group F with 0 points from 2 matches.
Lost 5-1 to Sweden and 4-0 to Japan.
Became the first African nation eliminated from the tournament.

Africa’s Best Positioned Teams

Based on current standings, the African teams closest to reaching the Round of 32 are:

Morocco (4 points)
Ghana (3 points from 1 match)
Ivory Coast (3 points)
DR Congo (1 point but in a strong position)
Egypt (group wide open)

For South African fans, all eyes are now on Bafana Bafana’s decisive clash against South Korea on Thursday, 25 June at 03:00 (SA time), with qualification still within reach despite sitting bottom of Group A.

However, Hugo Broos’ team will have to beat South Korea to have any chance of progressing to the Round of 32.

No other result will be good enough.