According to a report by The Punch on Sunday, June 28, 2026, Africa has written a new chapter in FIFA World Cup history after nine of its ten participating nations secured spots in the Round of 32 at the 2026 tournament, marking an unprecedented continental performance on football’s grandest stage.
Algeria and DR Congo became the latest African sides to punch their tickets to the knockout rounds following their respective last group-stage matches on Sunday, completing a remarkable sweep that no African generation before them has achieved.
DR Congo produced their most decisive performance of the group stage, defeating Uzbekistan 3-1 in Atlanta to claim their first victory of the tournament.
The result pushed the Leopards to four points, placing them among the tournament’s best third-placed teams. Their reward is a Round of 32 clash against England scheduled for Wednesday.
Algeria navigated a nervy finish, battling to a 3-3 draw against Austria to advance from Group J with four points. Despite finishing third behind Argentina and Austria, the Desert Warriors did enough to join Africa’s growing representation in the knockout rounds.
They linked up with Morocco, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Cabo Verde, Senegal, and Ghana — all of whom had earlier confirmed their advancement.
Tunisia remained the continent’s only casualty, finishing bottom of Group F without registering a single point across three matches.
With nine out of ten nations progressing, Africa carries a 90 percent qualification rate into the knockout phase — a statistical achievement that underlines the continent’s rapid footballing development and signals a genuine threat to traditional World Cup powerhouses as the competition intensifies.
The continent now awaits what promises to be its deepest-ever run in a World Cup.
