The 2026 FIFA World Cup has entered a new phase after the conclusion of the group stage, with DR Congo and Algeria becoming the latest African nations to book their places in the Round of 32.

Their qualification completed a memorable group-stage campaign for African football, with Algeria, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal and South Africa all advancing to the knockout rounds. Tunisia were the only African side to miss out after finishing bottom of their group.
The achievement comes in the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams, with 32 nations advancing to the knockout stage through the top two teams in each group and the eight best third-placed finishers.
"Africa will have nine representatives in the Round of 32, underlining the continent's growing competitiveness on the global stage."
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Algeria secured qualification after a dramatic draw.

Algeria confirmed their place in the knockout rounds after playing out an entertaining 3-3 draw with Austria in the final Group J fixture.
Algeria drew with Austria while Marezs scoring 2 goals // X
The result was enough to send both teams through while ending Iran's hopes of progression. Algeria advanced as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams, completing a strong recovery after losing their opening match.
The Desert Foxes will now face Switzerland in the Round of 32 as they seek a place in the last 16.
"Algeria's resilience ensured they remained among the tournament's best third-placed teams."

DR Congo makes history

Earlier, DR Congo secured a historic place in the knockout stage after defeating Uzbekistan 3-1.
The Leopards came from behind to claim victory through goals from Yoane Wissa, who scored twice, and Fiston Mayele. The win marked DR Congo's first-ever victory at a FIFA World Cup and earned them a Round of 32 meeting with England.

Wissa flying at world cup as he scores a brace making DR Congo to qualify // X
For the Central African nation, qualification represents one of the country's greatest achievements on football's biggest stage since returning to the World Cup for the first time in more than five decades.

Round of 32 fixtures begin

With the group stage complete, attention now shifts to the knockout rounds, where every match will be decided on a win-or-go-home basis.
Among the confirmed fixtures involving African nations are:
  • South Africa vs Canada
  • Netherlands vs Morocco
  • Argentina vs Cape Verde
  • Australia vs Egypt
  • Switzerland vs Algeria
  • England vs DR Congo
  • Colombia vs Ghana
  • Ivory Coast vs Norway
  • Belgium vs Senegal