For the first time in the history of the FIFA World Cup, six African nations have advanced to the knockout stage, marking a historic milestone for the continent at the 2026 World Cup.
The teams that progressed are:
- Côte d’Ivoire
- South Africa
- Egypt
- Ghana
- Morocco
- Cape Verde
Softfootball understands that a record ten African countries are participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. With the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) secured nine direct qualification spots, while a tenth nation earned its place through the intercontinental play‑offs.
