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See fixtures as nine African nations make FIFA World Cup knockout stage
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Nine African nations are in the FIFA World Cup 2026, advancing to the Round of 32, underlining the continent’s growing influence on football’s biggest stage.
The expanded 48-team tournament has opened the door to more African participation, but the continent’s representatives have done far more than merely fill the numbers.
Through disciplined defending, fearless attacking football and memorable upsets, nine teams have earned their place in the knockout rounds, surpassing every previous African record at the World Cup.
South Africa, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Algeria, Senegal, DR Congo, Cape Verde and Ivory Coast will all carry Africa’s hopes into the first-ever 32-team knockout phase, giving the continent an unprecedented presence as the race for the World Cup trophy intensifies.
The Round of 32 presents a series of daunting but enticing challenges.
South Africa will launch Africa’s knockout campaign against Canada, while Morocco face European heavyweights the Netherlands after an impressive unbeaten group-stage run. Senegal take on Belgium, Egypt meet Australia, and Ghana clash with Colombia,
Algeria face Switzerland, DR Congo battle England, Ivory Coast square off against Norway, and Cape Verde’s remarkable tournament continues with a blockbuster encounter against defending champions Argentina.
The expanded knockout bracket has ensured that Africa’s path to the latter stages will not be straightforward. Several of the continent’s teams are on a collision course with traditional football powers, yet recent performances suggest they are more than capable of producing further surprises.
Morocco continue to build on the momentum generated by their historic run to the semi-finals four years ago, while Senegal and Egypt have once again demonstrated why they remain among Africa’s most consistent performers on the global stage. South Africa’s qualification has energised home supporters, and Cape Verde’s debut appearance in the knockout rounds has become one of the tournament’s most inspiring stories.
For DR Congo, Ghana, Algeria and Ivory Coast, progression beyond the group stage reflects years of investment in player development and the increasing competitiveness of African football. Their qualification reinforces the belief that the gap between Africa and football’s traditional powerhouses continues to narrow.
Beyond the individual stories, the collective achievement sends a powerful message. Never before has Africa entered the knockout rounds with such numerical strength, providing the continent with multiple opportunities to break new ground in the latter stages of the tournament.
With every match now a winner-takes-all affair, Africa’s representatives have an opportunity to redefine the continent’s World Cup legacy. A place in the quarter-finals is no longer viewed as an extraordinary achievement but as a realistic target for several teams, while dreams of producing the first African world champion remain alive.
Despite smashing Pele’s record, France winger Michael Olise endured a night of mixed emotions after Les Bleus suffered a dramatic 6-4 defeat to England in a thrilling World Cup encounter.
Despite making history by registering his seventh assist of the tournament to surpass Pelé’s long-standing record of six assists in a single FIFA World Cup campaign, Olise reportedly left the field in tears.
According to reports from L’Equipe, the 24-year-old was seen in tears in the dressing room after the final whistle, blaming himself for missing two clear-cut scoring opportunities during the match.
The report added that France head coach Didier Deschamps consoled the winger, reassuring him after he became overwhelmed by the result and his missed chances.
Olise’s record-breaking seventh assist now stands as the highest ever recorded by a player in a single World Cup edition, eclipsing the mark set by Pelé during Brazil’s victorious 1970 campaign.
While the historic achievement highlights Olise’s outstanding creativity throughout the tournament, the painful defeat to England overshadowed the milestone as France’s World Cup journey came to a heartbreaking end.
Kylian Mbappe became the top scorer in World Cup history on Saturday when he netted his second goal in the third-place play-off against England to take his tally to 22.
He became the competition’s all-time top scorer and Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick as England won an extraordinary 10-goal thriller 6-4 against France in Miami tonight to finish third at the 2026 World Cup.
The Three Lions were involved in the bronze match – formerly known as the third-place play-off – after losing their semi-final to Argentina in galling fashion.
However, they showed no hangover from that disappointment by racing into a four-goal first-half lead in a chaotic game which up-ended any gloomy pre-match talk.
Saka – an unused sub against Argentina – scored twice after Declan Rice and Ezri Konsa had put England in control inside the opening 20 minutes.
Momentum completely switched after the break, with France pulling three goals back and missing clear-cut chances to equalise.
Mbappe netted either side of a Bradley Barcola goal, to put himself ahead in the race for the 2026 Golden Boot and leap above Lionel Messi to become the World Cup’s all-time leading scorer (22 goals).
But Saka completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the 87th minute after Djed Spence was fouled by Malo Gusto.
Ousmane Dembele curled home in the sixth minute of stoppage time to cut the deficit to 5-4, however Jude Bellingham jinked through France’s defence to seal England’s win in the 98th minute.
Bellingham finished with seven goals at this World Cup – the most of any England men’s player at a single edition.
It means England achieve their highest men’s World Cup finish since winning the tournament in 1966 and their best-ever result on foreign soil.
And they did so in the highest scoring World Cup third-place match ever, surpassing France 6-3 West Germany in 1958.
In one of the most dramatic transfers of the summer window, Chelsea have reached a full agreement to sign versatile English attacker Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa in a deal worth £117 million.
Renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed the news on Saturday, posting: “ BREAKING: MORGAN ROGERS TO CHELSEA, HERE WE GO!” Club-to-club negotiations were concluded rapidly today, with Chelsea beating Arsenal to the 23-year-old’s signature.
The Blues’ £117m proposal, which includes a significant sell-on fee payable to Middlesbrough, has been accepted by Aston Villa.
Rogers has already agreed personal terms on a six-year contract running until June 2032, with the option of a further year. A medical is scheduled for Monday.
The move represents a major coup for Chelsea and new head coach Xabi Alonso, who personally played a key role in persuading the player.
Rogers, who emerged as a standout performer for Villa last season with his technical ability, pace, and versatility across the attacking positions, chose Stamford Bridge over Arsenal despite interest from the north London club.
This transfer sets a new British record fee for an English player and underscores Chelsea’s aggressive spending strategy as they look to build a squad capable of challenging for major honours.
For Aston Villa, the substantial fee provides significant funds for squad rebuilding under Unai Emery.
Rogers’ arrival will be seen as a statement of intent by Chelsea, particularly in strengthening their creative options and linking up with England teammate Cole Palmer.
The deal is expected to be officially announced in the coming days once the medical and paperwork are completed.
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