* With Morocco being the standout performers having drawn 1-1 against Brazil before edging Scotland 1-0 to take control of Group C
* While Algeria, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal remain alive as Ghana’s defensive masterclass earns vital World Cup™ point against England in 0-0 draw
Maravi Express
The expanded FIFA World Cup™ 2026 has opened the door to a potentially historic campaign for Africa, with as many as five teams still on course to reach the knockout stage – a feat that would surpass the continent’s previous best.
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Africa’s strongest collective showing at the World Cup™ came in 2014 when Algeria, Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire all progressed beyond the group stage and 12 years on, that record could be eclipsed.
With one round of matches remaining in most groups, Morocco, Egypt, Ghana, Cape Verde and DR Congo have all put themselves in contention to reach the Round of 32, while Algeria, South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal remain alive.
Morocco have been among the standout performers as Mohamed Ouahbi’s side opened with a creditable 1-1 draw against Brazil before edging Scotland 1-0 to move onto four points and take control of Group C.
Egypt have also enjoyed an unbeaten start. After holding Belgium to a draw, the Pharaohs boosted their qualification hopes with an impressive 3-1 victory over New Zealand and sit on four points ahead of a decisive encounter with Iran.
Cape Verde continue to write one of the stories of the tournament. The Blue Sharks frustrated Spain in a goalless draw before earning another point against Uruguay in a thrilling 2-2 contest.
Cape Verde in fairytale run on their first ever FIFA World Cup™
Victory over Saudi Arabia could send the island nation into the knockout phase for the first time while DR Congo have shown their resilience on their return to the global stage.
The Leopards held Portugal to a 1-1 draw and remain firmly in the race heading into their final group matches.
Ghana made a winning start by defeating Panama and could take a significant step towards qualification with a positive result against England before their final group encounter with Croatia.
Algeria revived their campaign with a comeback victory over Jordan after losing to Argentina, while South Africa remain in contention following their draw against Czech Republic that was preceded by a 2-0 loss to hosts, Mexico.
Côte d’Ivoire, despite defeat to Germany, still have qualification hopes in their own hands, and Senegal, quarter-finalists in 2002 and Round of 16 participants in 2022, can still force their way through with victory over Iraq.
Black Stars stand firm under pressure
Last evening, Ghana — organised and compact throughout — frustrated Thomas Tuchel’s England, who dominated possession but struggled to break down Carlos Queiroz’s team, who defended with patience, courage and concentration.
Goalkeeper Benjamin Asare made important second-half saves, while Ghana’s back line repeatedly blocked, cleared and disrupted England’s attacks.
A draw for Ghana against Croatia, who beat Panama 1-0 would be enough to take the Black Stars into the knockout stage.
England arrived with momentum after their 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening match, but Ghana gave them a very different challenge.
Queiroz set his team up in a compact 4-5-1 shape, denying England space between the lines and forcing them to play in front of the Ghanaian block.
It was not always pretty, but it was effective and Ghana’s plan was clear: stay organised, reduce central spaces, protect Asare and wait for moments to counter.
England had much of the ball in the first half, but there was little real danger. Their best opening before the break came when Declan Rice sent a looping header over the crossbar.
Tuchel’s side had six first-half shots but none on target, a reflection of how well Ghana closed the spaces and forced England into uncomfortable positions.
England increased the pressure after the interval, but Ghana continued to defend with discipline. Elliot Anderson had a close-range header blocked before Anthony Gordon drove an effort straight into Asare’s body.
Harry Kane then tested the Ghana goalkeeper with a low shot, but Asare was again equal to the task before Tuchel turned to his bench in search of a breakthrough, introducing players he hoped would add pace and sharper movement in the final third.
Frustrated Harry Kane
Bukayo Saka forced Asare into a low save, while England began to send more crosses into dangerous areas. Still, Ghana refused to collapse as Marvin Senaya, Jonas Adjetey, Jerome Opoku and Gideon Mensah stood up to the pressure, while the midfield worked tirelessly to screen the defence.
For long periods, the match became a test of Ghana’s concentration. The Black Stars passed it.
For coach Queiroz, this was a performance built on experience and tactical discipline and for his team, it was also a reminder that progress at a World Cup is not always about attacking fireworks.
Sometimes, it is about resilience, organisation and refusing to be broken — against England, the Black Stars showed all three.
DR Congo produced a disciplined and courageous performance but were ultimately edged 1-0 by Colombia after a late goal settled a tightly contested encounter.
Colombia threatened early and nearly found a breakthrough within the opening minutes. Jhon Arias forced goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi into a superb save before Daniel Muñoz struck the post moments later.
It served as an early warning for the Congolese defence, which quickly settled into its task and despite enjoying the majority of possession, Colombia struggled to break down a well-drilled DR Congo side.
James Rodríguez orchestrated attacks from deep, while Luis Díaz and Gustavo Puerta were repeatedly denied by an inspired Mpasi, who produced a series of excellent saves to keep his side level.
The pattern continued after the break. Colombia controlled territory but found little joy against a defensive unit marshalled expertly by captain Chancel Mbemba.
The Leopards maintained their shape and repeatedly caught the South Americans offside, frustrating their attacking efforts.
The decisive moment eventually arrived in the 76th minute. Colombia coach Néstor Lorenzo turned to his bench, introducing Juan Fernando Quintero for James Rodríguez.
The substitution proved inspired as Quintero’s incisive pass released Muñoz, who burst into the area and fired a left-footed effort into the far corner to give Colombia a 1-0 lead.
It was a cruel blow for a Congolese side that had defended resolutely and looked capable of earning a positive result and in the end, they were left to reflect on what might have been.
Their organisation, resilience and defensive discipline stood up well against one of South America’s strongest sides.—Reporting by CAFonline; editing by Maravi Express
Group stage results
Group A
Mexico 2-0 South Africa
South Korea 2-1 Czechia
Czech Republic 1-2 South Africa
Mexico 1-0 South Korea
Group B
Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina
Qatar 1-1 Switzerland
Switzerland 4-1 Bosnia & Herzegovina
Canada 6-0 Qatar
Group C
Brazil 1-1 Morocco
Haiti 0-1 Scotland
Scotland 0-1 Morocco
Brazil 3-0 Haiti
Group D
USA 4-1 Paraguay
Australia 2-0 Turkiye
USA 2-1 Australia
Turkiye 0-1 Paraguay
Group E
Côte d’Ivoire 1-0 Ecuador
Germany 7-1 Curaçao
Germany 2-1 Côte d’Ivoire
Ecuador 0-0 Curaçao
Group F
Netherlands 2-2 Japan
Sweden 5-1 Tunisia
Tunisia 0-4 Japan
Netherlands 5-1 Sweden
Group G
Belgium 1-1 Egypt
Iran 2-2 New Zealand
Beligium 0-0
New Zealand 1-3
Group H
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde
Saudi Arabia 1-1 Uruguay
Uruguay 2-2 Cape Verde
Spain 4-0 Saudi Arabia
Group I
France 3-1 Senegal
Iraq 1-4 Norway
Norway 3-2 Senegal
France 3-0 Iraq
Group J
Argentina 3-0 Algeria
Austria 3-1 Jordan
Argentina 2-0 Austria
Jordan 1-2 Tunisia
Group K
Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
Uzbekistan 1-3 Colombia
Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan
Colombia 1-0 DR Congo
Group L
England 4-2 Croatia
Ghana 1-0 Panama
England 0-0 Ghana
Panama 0-1 Croatia
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