Yoane Wissa after Congo's 3-1 win over Uzbekistan — the country's first World Cup victory, 52 years in the making. Africa sent 10 teams to the 2026 World Cup. Nine of them are now through to the round of 32. After Congo’s 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan and Algeria’s stunning 3-3 draw against Austria on Saturday night, the continent has shattered its own records — the previous best was two teams advancing in the same year, achieved in both 2014 and 2022. After 17 days of competition, Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cape Verde, Egypt, Congo, and Algeria have all qualified for the knockout stage.
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Only six African countries had ever qualified for the knockout stage before this tournament, several of them multiple times. This year’s tournament has demonstrated that the strength of African football runs deep — with Cape Verde and Congo both surprise names among the last 32.
“It’s only the second time we are in the World Cup, 52 years later. Now every African team can dream big”. — Yoane Wissa, Congo forward
Congo’s historic night
Congo’s victory over Uzbekistan was the country’s first-ever win at a World Cup — only their second appearance in the tournament, 52 years after the first. Yoane Wissa scored twice: a penalty kick at the 68th minute and another in stoppage time. Fiston Mayele added a goal at the 78th minute. Congo face England next in the round of 32.
After the game, Wissa reflected on the long road it had taken. “We started to qualify for the World Cup four years ago with this group”, he said. “First game against Portugal, you drawed. You lost against Colombia. Now you’re losing one-nil after (10) minutes, so yeah, nothing is easy in football. We just need to show resilience, and when a time like this comes, you have to enjoy, because it’s not easy”.
Mayele, named player of the game, was equally emotional. “It’s really historic for our country, Congo”, he said. “It’s the first win and the first knockout stage. Today, I have to be proud here, and almost everywhere in my country, everyone is happy with what we did. We’re proud to be Congolese, and I think we will keep going”.
Algeria’s thriller
Algeria’s path to the round of 32 came through the most thrilling ending to a game at this year’s World Cup. Tied 2-2 with Austria in stoppage time and seemingly content to play for a draw, captain Riyad Mahrez struck suddenly for a go-ahead goal. Austria countered two minutes later on the final play of the game to make it 3-3 — but the draw was still enough to advance both teams.
Africa’s new standard
Morocco — a co-host for the 2030 World Cup — was the first African nation to reach the semifinals four years ago in Qatar and looks capable of going deep again, having already held Brazil to a 1-1 draw. Wissa pointed to what the continent’s collective progress means for the next generation. “What’s coming next is good for the African teams, and we can see that now youngest players come earlier, and we showed our team with (Noah) Sadiki, (Ngal’ayel) Mukau, so that’s good, and that shows our federation can dream big”.
- Source: The Associated Press