2026 World Cup: nine qualifiers, one quarter-finalist, Africa's campaign in review

From Morocco's quarter-final heroics to Tunisia's early exit, a look back at the journeys of Africa's representatives

Africa 10 July 2026 at 11:00

Add Foot Africa on Google

2026 World Cup: nine qualifiers, one quarter-finalist, Africa's campaign in review

With Morocco making history by reaching the quarter-finals and nine African teams advancing to the knockout stage, Africa has delivered its strongest collective performance in World Cup history.

Africa leaves the 2026 World Cup with a sense of mission accomplished. For the first time ever, ten African nations took part in the tournament, and nine of them progressed beyond the group stage or reached the playoffs reserved for the best third-placed teams.

Once again, Morocco flew the flag for African football. After their 2022 heroics, the Atlas Lions reached the quarter-finals before falling to France (2-0), confirming their new stature on the world stage.

Behind the Moroccans, Egypt made it to the round of 16, while South Africa, Algeria, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, and DR Congo all exited in the round of 32. Only Tunisia failed to make it out of the group stage.

Performance of African nations at the 2026 World Cup

Nation	Performance
Morocco	Quarter-finals
Egypt	Round of 16
South Africa	Round of 32
Algeria	Round of 32
Cape Verde	Round of 32
Ivory Coast	Round of 32
Ghana	Round of 32
Senegal	Round of 32
DR Congo	Round of 32
Tunisia	Group stage

Despite not having a representative in the semi-finals, this 2026 edition will go down as one of the most successful in African football history, marked by several historic runs and a record presence in the knockout rounds.