The Atlas Lions and Bafana Bafana secured their places in the knockout rounds as Africa’s World Cup campaign gathered momentum.
Morocco and South Africa have become the first African nations to secure places in the knockout stage of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking a significant milestone for the continent’s campaign at football’s biggest tournament.
Morocco booked their place in the Round of 32 with an impressive 4-2 victory over Haiti in Atlanta, finishing second in Group C with seven points behind Brazil. Goals from Achraf Hakimi, Ismael Saibari, Soufiane Rahimi, and Gessime Yassine sealed qualification as the Atlas Lions continued their strong run on the global stage.
South Africa also celebrated a historic achievement after edging South Korea 1-0 in Monterrey. A second-half strike from Thapelo Maseko secured all three points and lifted Bafana Bafana to second place in Group A, sending them into the knockout rounds for the first time in the nation’s FIFA World Cup history.
The qualification caps a remarkable turnaround for Hugo Broos’ side, who began their campaign with a 2-0 defeat to tournament hosts Mexico in a match that saw two South African players sent off. Since then, Bafana Bafana have responded with resilience, becoming one of Africa’s standout performers.
Elsewhere, several African nations remain firmly in contention for places in the Round of 32. Senegal sits third in their group ahead of a decisive final match against Iraq, while Ghana, Egypt, Algeria, DR Congo, Cape Verde, and Ivory Coast all have qualification hopes heading into their final group-stage fixtures.
Tunisia is the only African team eliminated from the tournament so far after suffering defeats to Sweden and Japan.
With Morocco and South Africa already through, Africa’s hopes of a strong representation in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage remain alive as the remaining contenders battle for qualification.
