When the 2026 World Cup kicked off across America, no confederation showed up the way Africa did. Ten African nations answered the call — and eight of them advanced to the knockout stage, the highest knockout rate of any confederation in the history of the tournament. Algeria, Cape Verde, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa, and Tunisia. These teams earned their places through an expanded qualification format that doubled Africa’s representation from five to ten nations. Morocco became the first African team to secure qualification, while DR Congo claimed the final spot via a dramatic intercontinental playoff win over Jamaica.
