History was made! 9 out of 10 African teams qualify for 2026 World Cup knockout rounds | Football News

New Delhi: Africa has its best ever performance fifa world cupwith nine of its 10 teams reaching the top 32 of the 2026 tournament. This is the first time that so many African countries have advanced to the knockout rounds. The previous record, held by only two teams, was set at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when Algeria and Nigeria advanced. The only African team absent this time is Tunisia.

Nine countries have reserved knockout spots

After 17 days of group stage competition, Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Egypt, Algeria, Democratic Republic of Congo and Cape Verde all advanced to the top 32.This impressive achievement highlights the growing strength of African football on the world stage.

Algeria survived

Algeria secured qualification with a dramatic 3-3 draw with Austria.Algeria captain Riyad Mahrez scored late in injury time to make it 3-2, and the game looked set to go in Algeria’s favor. However, Austria almost equalized with the last kick of the game.A draw was enough for both teams to advance to the knockout rounds.

Democratic Republic of the Congo makes history

The Democratic Republic of the Congo defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 and entered the knockout round for the first time.Erdo Shomurodov gave Uzbekistan an early lead, but DR Congo fought back in the second half.Yoane Wissa equalized from the penalty spot before Fiston Mayele put his team ahead. Visa then scored another goal in stoppage time to complete the reversal.The victory was also the Democratic Republic of Congo’s first victory at the World Cup. They will now face England in the last 32.

Cape Verde continues its fairytale journey

Cape Verde, participating in the World Cup for the first time, also made history, entering the knockout stages without winning in the group stage.The Blue Sharks have drawn all three of their games, with impressive results against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.They became the first team since Chile in the 1998 World Cup to qualify without a win in the group stage.Veteran goalkeeper Wozniak also entered the record books. At the age of 40, he became the third goalkeeper in World Cup history after Peter Shilton and Dino Zoff to keep multiple clean sheets after the age of 40.

Morocco continues to impress

Morocco once again showed their quality by becoming the first African team to reach the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.They drew 1-1 with Brazil in the group stage and entered the knockout rounds as one of the strongest teams in the tournament.