Egypt, Cape Verde, Ghana hope to join Morocco in World Cup Round of 16

The 2026 FIFA World Cup sees three African nations, Egypt, Cape Verde, and Ghana, fighting to keep the continent's hopes alive by securing places in the Round of 16. Morocco stands as the sole African team to have advanced so far, having booked their spot after a dramatic penalty shootout victory against the Netherlands.

Africa arrived at the expanded 2026 World Cup with a record 10 representatives, and nine nations successfully advanced from the group stage to the Round of 32. However, the continent's momentum has faced challenges in the knockout rounds, leaving Morocco as the only team through to the Round of 16 ahead of Friday's decisive matches.

Egypt will be the first to compete, facing Australia at Dallas Stadium. A victory would mark one of the country's deepest runs in the tournament. Later, Cape Verde, one of the competition's surprise packages, will face a formidable challenge against title favorites Argentina in Miami. The island nation has emerged as a compelling story of the tournament.

Ghana's Black Stars will meet an in-form Colombian team in Kansas City. Their match is the final opportunity for an African nation to join Morocco in the next stage. Friday's fixtures will ultimately decide whether Africa will send additional representatives into the knockout stages or if Morocco will remain the continent's sole standard-bearer.