In a landmark achievement for African football, three teams from the continent South Africa, Morocco, and Côte d’Ivoire have successfully progressed to the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, showcasing the growing strength and depth of African football on the global stage.
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana made history by qualifying for the knockout stage for the very first time. Under coach Hugo Broos, they secured second place in Group A with a dramatic 1-0 victory over South Korea, highlighted by Thapelo Maseko’s decisive strike. This breakthrough comes after an opening loss, demonstrating remarkable resilience and tactical growth.
Morocco, the Atlas Lions, continued their impressive form by advancing from Group C as runners-up. Building on their strong showing in previous tournaments, Morocco’s disciplined performances have once again positioned them as one of Africa’s leading forces.
Côte d’Ivoire also made their mark, advancing from Group E with a clinical 2-0 win over Curaçao, powered by Nicolas Pépé’s brace. This marks the Elephants’ first appearance in the World Cup knockout stages, a significant milestone for the West African side.
These qualifications represent a proud moment for the Confederation of African Football (CAF), with a record 10 African teams participating in the expanded 2026 tournament. The successes of South Africa, Morocco, and Côte d’Ivoire highlight the continent’s rising competitiveness and potential to go even further in the knockout rounds.
CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe congratulated the teams: “This is a historic day for African football. These results prove that our teams belong among the world’s best. We celebrate this achievement and look forward to more memorable performances in the Round of 32.”
The three African sides will now prepare for their respective knockout matches, carrying the hopes of the entire continent as they aim to make further history.