Cape Verde recently lost to Argentina and Ghana fell to Colombia in the Round of 32, cutting the number of African nations left in the 2026 World Cup from four down to just two teams. However, it was far from an easy victory for La Albiceleste, who had to fight hard to grind out the win in extra time.
Egypt is one of the heavy hitters remaining in the competition, keeping the North African dream alive and kicking. The Pharaohs have shown great discipline and tactical awareness to navigate their way through tough matches so far.
Morocco is the other African nation determined to make history in the 2026 edition. Both teams bring immense passion, technical skill, and a proven track record of upsetting traditional powerhouses.
The brutal reality of the knockout stage
If the remaining African teams want to continue alive in the tournament, they must win their upcoming games. There are no second chances or safety nets left for anyone at this advanced stage of the competition. A single mistake on the pitch can ruin years of preparation and send an entire nation home. African teams still at the 2026 World Cup:
- Egypt
- Morocco
Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush of Egypt.
The knockout stage is completely unforgiving, meaning that you either secure a victory or you go home immediately. Teams cannot settle for tactical draws to get by like they did during the early group phase. It is all about survival now, forcing players to give everything they have until the final whistle.
Has an African team ever won the World Cup?
No African team has ever won the prestigious World Cup trophy since the tournament began back in 1930. Morocco came closest to breaking the ultimate barrier in 2022 by becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals. The current remaining squads are highly motivated to shatter that ceiling and bring the gold to Africa.
