African teams make historic knockout surge as Cape Verde stuns Portugal

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8 days · 7 summary articles
The knockout stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup begin on Sunday, 28 June, with African football celebrating a historic breakthrough after nine of the continent’s ten representatives advanced to the Round of 32. Cape Verde’s 1-0 victory over Portugal on Saturday secured the island nation’s first-ever appearance in the knockout phase and set up a blockbuster tie against Lionel Messi’s Argentina in Houston on Tuesday. The result caps a remarkable week for African football, which saw Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, Egypt, Ghana, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of Congo also progress, while Algeria and South Africa completed the continent’s unprecedented nine qualifiers from ten entrants.
The group-stage finale delivered seismic upsets and managerial fallout. South Korea’s coach resigned on Saturday night after his side’s 2-1 defeat to Ghana condemned them to elimination, while Austria’s Ralf Rangnick faced collusion allegations after his team’s 3-3 draw with Algeria allowed both nations to advance at the expense of the Netherlands. Iran’s captain, Mehdi Taremi, accused FIFA of running a “disaster” tournament, citing visa restrictions and grueling cross-border travel that disrupted his team’s preparation.
In Europe, France and Germany booked their places in the Round of 32 with commanding performances. Didier Deschamps’s France finished the group stage with a 10-0 goal difference, including a 4-0 win over Norway, while Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany overcame a late scare to beat Costa Rica 3-2 and secure top spot in Group E. England, meanwhile, topped Group L with a 2-0 victory over Panama, setting up a clash with DR Congo in Dallas on Monday.
The tournament’s expansion to 48 teams has produced a knockout draw heavy on continental derbies. France will face Sweden in a rematch of their Euro 2024 quarter-final, while Brazil and Argentina could collide in the quarter-finals if both progress. The Round of 32 fixtures, announced on Saturday, also feature Morocco vs. Croatia, Japan vs. Brazil, and the Netherlands vs. Uruguay.
Off the pitch, the World Cup’s logistical challenges have dominated headlines. Iran’s players criticized FIFA’s handling of visas and travel, while Norwegian fans expressed frustration at influencer-led marketing stunts in stadiums. Ticket prices have soared to $22,000 for premium matches, prompting some supporters to camp outside venues to secure cheaper options.
As the knockout phase begins, the tournament’s narrative shifts from surprise to spectacle. Messi, now 39, has already scored twice in the group stage, while France’s Kylian Mbappé has added to his tally. With African football’s rise and Europe’s traditional powers facing early tests, the World Cup’s second act promises drama, controversy, and the chance for new heroes to emerge.
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