A record nine African countries have confirmed their places in round 32 of the 2026 World Cup.
Algeria and DR Congo are the latest teams from the continent to seal their last-32 ticket at the ongoing competition.
They join Morocco, South Africa, Cote d’Ivoire, Egypt, Cape Verde, Ghana and Senegal in the business end of the competition, breaking the previous record of just two African teams at a World Cup knockout round.
Tunisia is the only country on the continent to qualify for the World Cup, but failed to progress beyond the group stage.
DR Congo qualified after earning their first-ever World Cup victory, 3-1 over Uzbekistan, in their last group stage match on Saturday in Atlanta. Yoane Wissa’s brace and Fislon Mayele’s strike helped the Leopard turn around a game that started disastrously for them.
The victory takes DR Congo to the top of the eight best third-placed teams, and they will face England next on Wednesday.
Algeria also managed to squeeze into the last 32 through the best losers’ route. A 3-3 draw against Austria in their final group game ensured they displaced Iran for the final slot.
Ghana also clung to the third-placed ladder to advance despite their 2-1 loss to Croatia in their last Group game. The Black Stars will face Colombia in the next round on July 3.
FULL WORLD CUP ROUND OF 32 FIXTURES (All Nigerian time)
South Africa vs Canada — June 28 — 8 pm — Los Angeles Stadium
Brazil vs Japan — June 29 — 6 pm — Houston Stadium
Germany vs Paraguay — June 29 — 9:30 pm — Boston Stadium
Netherlands vs Morocco — June 30 — 2 am — Estadio Monterrey
Ivory Coast vs Norway — June 30 — 6 pm — Dallas Stadium
France vs Sweden — June 30 — 10 pm — New York New Jersey Stadium
Mexico vs Ecuador — July 1 — 2 am — Mexico City Stadium
England vs DR Congo — July 1 — 5 am — Atlanta Stadium
Belgium vs Senegal — July 1 — 9 pm — Seattle Stadium
United States vs Bosnia and Herzegovina — July 2 — 1 am — San Francisco Bay Area Stadium
Spain vs Austria — July 2 — 6 pm — Los Angeles Stadium
Portugal vs Croatia — July 3 — 12 am — Toronto Stadium
Switzerland vs Algeria — July 3 — 4 am — BC Place, Vancouver
Australia vs Egypt — July 3 — 7 pm — Dallas Stadium
Argentina vs Cape Verde — July 3 — 11 pm — Miami Stadium
Colombia vs Ghana — July 4 — 2:30 am — Kansas City Stadium
