African teams excel at 2026 World Cup, 10 advance, continental glory hopes rise
Record 10 African nations qualified for the expanded 48‑team 2026 World Cup, with only Tunisia eliminated early in the group stage. Teams such as Algeria, Cape Verde, Morocco, Ghana and Ivory Coast recorded notable results — drawing or defeating former champions Spain, England, Portugal and Brazil. Cape Verde’s fairy‑tale run saw goalkeeper Vozinha become an internet sensation with 17 million Instagram followers after a man‑of‑the‑match display against Spain. Morocco, the first African semi‑finalists in 2022, expressed confidence about winning the tournament, while Algeria’s Riyad Mahrez said nine out of ten African teams advancing shows the continent’s quality. DR Congo’s coach Sebastien Desabre added that an African World Cup win is ‘just a matter of time.’ These performances underline Africa’s growing football strength and challenge the idea that tournament expansion diluted quality. The expansion of Africa’s World Cup slots from five to ten has allowed more nations to showcase their growth, with improved coaching, better youth development and increased investment paying off on the global stage.