Five African nations have already discovered their Round of 32 opponents at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, while several others still face uncertainty as the expanded tournament moves into the knockout stage.
With the competition staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico, African teams have delivered a strong showing, with nine of the ten qualified sides still in contention. Tunisia is the only African nation to have been eliminated at the group stage.
As the tournament shifts into its first single-elimination round, the confirmed fixtures for five African teams have now been set following the conclusion of their respective groups.
South Africa, who finished second in Group A, will face co-hosts Canada in Los Angeles on 28 June.
Morocco are also through to the knockout stage after finishing second in Group C behind Brazil. They will meet the Netherlands in Monterrey on 29 June.
Ivory Coast secured second place in Group E and will take on Norway in Dallas on 30 June.
Egypt advanced as runners-up in Group G following a 1-1 draw with Iran and will play Australia on 3 July, also in Dallas.
One of the standout stories of the group stage has been Cape Verde national football team, who finished second in Group H and have earned a high-profile Round of 32 clash with Argentina in Miami on 3 July.
For the remaining African representatives, however, the knockout picture remains unsettled as Groups J, K and L are still to be completed.
Senegal national football team progressed as one of the best third-placed teams from Group I after a commanding 5-0 win over Iraq. Their exact opponent will depend on final group outcomes, with potential ties against the winners of Group L or Group K still possible.
Ghana national football team have already secured qualification with four points, but their final group position will determine their knockout pathway. A win in their final match against Croatia could see them top Group L, which would open different potential routes depending on other results. A second-place finish would likely send them to face the runners-up of Group K in Toronto.
Algeria national football team still have work to do in Group J. A second-place finish would set up a daunting Round of 32 meeting with Spain, who are expected to top Group H, with the match scheduled for Los Angeles on 2 July.
With several permutations still to be resolved, African teams remain central to the knockout-stage narrative, with the continent once again strongly represented in the latter stages of the World Cu
