World Cup: Africa sets new record with nine teams in knockout stage

The continent of Africa is celebrating a historic achievement in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with a record nine nations securing berths in the tournament's knockout stage. This unprecedented success highlights a significant leap forward for African football on the global stage.

Algeria and DR Congo were the final two teams to confirm their advancement, clinching their spots in the Round of 32 after their concluding group stage matches on Sunday. DR Congo qualified with a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan, earning four points and topping the rankings for the best third-placed teams. Algeria secured their passage with a 3-3 draw against Austria, finishing third in Group J with four points.

These two teams join Morocco, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Cabo Verde, Senegal, and Ghana, who had previously secured their places. This remarkable performance means that 90% of the 10 African nations participating in the tournament have advanced, with only Tunisia being eliminated.

The continent heads into the knockout rounds with considerable confidence, buoyed by what is considered one of its strongest-ever showings at a FIFA World Cup. The success sets a new benchmark for future African teams aiming to compete at the highest level of international football.