Overview:
For the first time in history, Africa had 10 representatives with DR Congo the latest nation to qualify through an intercontinental play off.
The 2026 Fifa World Cup came to conclusion on Sunday July 11 with Spain attaining the second star following a 1-0 win over Argentina at the MetLife stadium in New York.
Fermin Lopez winner decided the 48-nation tournament, the first ever to be co-hosted by three nations; United States, Canada and Mexico.
For the first time in history, Africa had 10 representatives with DR Congo the latest nation to qualify through an intercontinental play off.
Overall, it was a positive tournament for Africa as nine out of the ten reached the knock out stages and so many milestones achieved by the African nations.
Here is the report postcard for all the 10-national teams that played.
TUNISIA
Despite qualifying without conceding a single goal, Tunisia shipped in twelve goals in the final tournament losing to Sweden (5-1), Japan (4-0) and Netherlands (3-1).
They had to sack coach Sabri Lamouchi following an opening day defeat to Sweden but not even two-time African champions Herve Renard could save them after he was given a task to fire fight.
In the end, they were the only one to be eliminated at the group stages.
Knocked out: Group stages
Ratings: 1/10
CAPE VERDE
On their debut, the smallest nation ever to play at the world cup shocked many when they held current world cup champions Spain on their first game.
They held 1930 winners Uruguay to a 2-2 draw and later settled for a goalless draw with Saudi Arabia which enabled them to reach the round of 32.
They were eventually knocked out by Lionel Messi and Argentina 3-2 taking the three-time champions to extra time.
They did punch above weight with their goalkeeper Vozinha leaving a lasting mark with several saves.
Knocked out: Last 32
Rating: 8/10
GHANA
Experienced tactician Carlos Queiroz guided the Black Stars through the tournament after he was appointed just a few months to the tournament.
The Black Stars held England to a 0-0 draw, beat Panama 1-0 and lost to Croatia 2-1 qualifying for the round of 32 where they were beaten by Colombia.
Queiroz defensive approach faced criticism and Ghana were not good on the eye.
Knocked out: Last 32
Rating: 5/10
ALGERIA
Algeria were eliminated by Switzerland at the round of 32 after coming out of the group despite defeat to Argentina (3-0) in the group stages in their opening match.
But a win over Jordan and a six-goal thrilling draw with Austria qualified them out of the group but they were expected to do more and it explains why Vladamir Petkovic faced criticism after the tournament.
Knocked out: Last 32
Rating: 6/10
COTE D’IVOIRE
One of the best in terms of performance as they beat minnows Curacao, tough Colombia and narrowly lost to Germany in the group stages.
Emerse Fae’s charges played exciting football and were unfortunate to lose to Norway in the last minute after keeping the game 1-1 till the closing stages.
Knocked out: Last 32
Rating: 7/10
EGYPT
The Pharaohs won their first ever World Cup game beating New Zealand 3-1 and Iran in the group stages where they finished second behind Belgium who they held in the group stages.
Hossam Hassan’s men defeated Australia on penalties in the round of 32 before they fell to Argentina in the last stages of the game despite leading 2-0 until the 85th minute.
Many believe so many decisions went against them in that game but they left with heads high.
Knocked out: Last 16
Rating: 8/10
MOROCCO
The Atlas Lions became the first nation from Africa to reach successive quarter finals at the world cup.
A draw against Brazil and wins over Scotland and Haiti saw them finish behind the five-time champions.
They eliminated the Netherlands on penalties after a 1-1 draw after extra time in the round of 32, then saw off co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the round of 16 before they fell to France in the quarter final.
Mohamed Ouahbi did a great job after inheriting a side that had reached the semis under Walid Regragui in 2022.
Knocked out: Quarter Final
Rating: 9/10
SENEGAL
The Lions of Teranga were expected to go further but somehow disappointed as they only qualified to the knockout stages as the last third-best ranked nation.
A 3-1 loss to France in the opener was followed by another defeat to Norway before hammering hapless Iraq in the final game.
Leading 2-0 against Belgium until the 86th minute, Senegal lost 3-2 in extra time and were eliminated disappointingly which saw their coach sacked after the tournament.
Knocked out: Last 32
Rating: 6/10
DR CONGO
Sebastien Desabre’s men made history by guiding the Leopards to the first ever win at the world cup.
Their 1-1 opening day draw with Portugal underlined their strength before a loss to Colombia but defeat Uzbekistan 3-1 in the final group game.
They set up a date with 1966 winners England in the last of 32 and they led the Three Lions 1-0 until late in the game when Harry Kane double saw them off.
Knocked out: Last 32
Rating: 7/10
SOUTH AFRICA
Like many others, Bafana Bafana reached the knock out stages for the first time before they lost to co-hosts Canada 1-0 in the last minutes of the game.
The opening day defeat to Mexico was followed by a 1-1 draw to Cech Republic and then a 1-0 win over South Korea.
They did have decent performances after that disastrous match day one but the manner in which they lost to Canada was disappointing.
Knocked out: Last 32
Rating: 7/10
