Morocco and Egypt are the last two African representatives standing at the 2026 World Cup, both securing places in the Round of 16 after a dramatic set of knockout fixtures across Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
The two nations were part of a record nine African teams to reach the knockout stage, with only Tunisia missing out among the continent’s ten entrants at the expanded 48-team tournament. Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Cape Verde, Algeria, and Ghana were all eliminated in the Round of 32.
Morocco advanced past the Netherlands on penalties, building on their run to the semi-finals in Qatar 2022. Coach Mohamed Ouahbi said the squad now believes it can go further than that achievement, adding that both players and supporters share the ambition. Morocco will face co-hosts Canada next.
Egypt overcame Australia 4-2 on penalties after the sides could not be separated through normal and extra time. Mohamed Salah, who converted from the spot, called the win a historic moment for Egyptian football and said he had urged his teammates to embrace the occasion rather than fear it. The Pharaohs now face Lionel Messi’s Argentina, who narrowly avoided an upset against debutants Cape Verde.
