By Mohamed Abdi - Reporter
Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) – Morocco and Egypt are Africa's last two teams in the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup after seven others exited in the round of 32.
This World Cup, the first to feature 48 teams, offered a major opportunity for the continent, with 10 African national teams taking part in the tournament. Nine of them progressed from the group stage to the Round of 32, setting a new record that reflects the growth of African football.
However, the Round of 32 proved to be a difficult stage. South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Cape Verde, Senegal, Ghana, DR Congo and Algeria were all eliminated from the competition, while Morocco and Egypt kept Africa’s hopes alive.
Morocco reached the Round of 16 after defeating the Netherlands on penalties, following a 1–1 draw. The Atlas Lions won the shootout 3–2, giving them another chance to strengthen the reputation they built at the 2022 World Cup, when they became the first African country to reach the semi-finals.
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Egypt, meanwhile, made history by beating Australia 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw. The victory was a historic one for Egypt, as it marked their first-ever win in a World Cup knockout round.
Morocco will now face Canada in the Round of 16, while Egypt will take on Argentina. Both matches will be major tests of how far Africa can go in the tournament.
Although the continent has lost seven of the nine teams that reached the knockout stage, the presence of Morocco and Egypt still gives Africa hope. It also shows that African football has moved beyond merely participating and into a stage where its teams are regularly competing at the highest level.
What is certain is that Africa has made history this year: 10 teams in the tournament, nine reaching the knockout stage, and two still fighting for football’s biggest dream.