'Coach Hong Myung-bo, he could be naturalized in South Africa?' Africa's best historical performance, 9 out of 10 countries advance to Round of 32

African football has written a new chapter in its history at the 2026 World Cup, with an unprecedented nine out of ten participating nations advancing to the Round of 32. This remarkable achievement marks the continent's best-ever performance in the tournament's history.

Coach Hong Myung-bo is being recognized for his significant role in this historic success. The article highlights the collective effort and performance of African teams throughout the group stage, culminating in this impressive collective advancement.

Key results that sealed the advancement included the Democratic Republic of Congo's 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan and Algeria's hard-fought 3-3 draw against Austria. These outcomes were crucial in ensuring that the majority of African representatives progressed to the knockout stages, underscoring the growing strength and competitiveness of football on the continent.