Algeria and DR Congo will be looking to complete a historic outing for Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup when they play their decisive final group matches on Sunday, with both sides still in contention for places in the Round of 32.
Seven African nations have already secured qualification for the knockout phase of the expanded 48-team tournament, leaving Algeria and DR Congo with the opportunity to increase the continent's representation to nine teams.
Morocco, South Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Cabo Verde, Senegal and Ghana have all advanced, while Tunisia have become the only African team eliminated from the competition.
Algeria's fate remains firmly in their own hands. The Desert Foxes are tied on three points with Austria in Group J and must avoid defeat in Sunday's encounter to keep their hopes of progressing alive.
DR Congo, meanwhile, face a tougher challenge. The Leopards sit third in Group K with one point and must beat Uzbekistan while hoping Portugal lose to Colombia if they are to qualify among the tournament's best third-placed teams.
Should both countries progress, Africa would record its highest-ever representation in the knockout stage of a FIFA World Cup.
Morocco were among the first African teams to qualify after defeating Haiti 4-2 to finish second in Group C. The Atlas Lions will now face the Netherlands in the Round of 32.
South Africa also celebrated a landmark achievement by reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time. After losing to hosts Mexico in their opening fixture, Bafana Bafana recovered impressively with a draw against Czechia and victory over Korea Republic to secure second place in Group A. They will meet Canada in the next round.
Côte d'Ivoire also advanced after victories over Ecuador and Curaçao earned the Elephants second place in Group E.
Egypt booked their place in the knockout phase following a 1-1 draw against Iran, while tournament newcomers Cabo Verde continued their impressive campaign by qualifying unbeaten after draws against Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.
Senegal sealed qualification as one of the tournament's best third-placed teams after an emphatic 5-0 demolition of Iraq, while Ghana also progressed after collecting four points, with results elsewhere confirming their passage before their final group fixture.
Elsewhere, co-hosts Mexico and the United States are through to the Round of 32 alongside Germany, Argentina, France, Brazil, the Netherlands, Japan, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Switzerland, Norway, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador and Sweden.
The 2026 edition is the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams, with the top two teams from each of the 12 groups and the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the knockout stage.
Meanwhile, Friday night's fixtures produced plenty of excitement as France, Senegal and Belgium claimed convincing victories, while Spain edged Uruguay in a closely contested encounter.
France underlined their title credentials with a 4-1 victory over Norway, inspired by a superb hat-trick from Ousmane Dembélé. The winger struck three times in the opening 32 minutes before Désiré Doué added a late fourth after Thelo Aasgaard had briefly pulled one back for Norway.
Senegal recorded one of the biggest victories of the tournament with a dominant 5-0 win over Iraq. Abdoulaye Seck opened the scoring inside four minutes before Ismaïla Sarr, Idrissa Gueye, who netted twice, and Iliman Ndiaye completed the rout.
Spain claimed all three points against Uruguay thanks to Álex Baena's first-half goal, while Belgium overwhelmed New Zealand 5-1 with Leandro Trossard scoring twice and Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Saelemaekers also getting on the scoresheet.
Egypt's draw with Iran secured the Pharaohs' place in the Round of 32, while Cabo Verde's goalless draw against Saudi Arabia ensured the tournament debutants progressed without losing a group-stage match.
Attention now shifts to Sunday's decisive fixtures, where Algeria and DR Congo will attempt to cap a memorable tournament for African football by joining their seven compatriots in the knockout rounds.
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