2026 World Cup: The African teams who have been the most impressive

The 2026 World Cup has proven to be a memorable experience for several competing nations, particularly for some of the 10 African nations playing in North America this summer.

Many have risen to the occasion, putting in impressive performances that have earned plaudits from football fans around the world. In some cases, they have surpassed expectations, upsetting the odds to qualify for the knockout stages when many predicted them to finish at the bottom of their respective groups.

A few might even fancy their chances against supposed tournament favourites as they enter the knockout phases. That could make for interesting viewing, as the stakes for the World Cup go up a notch for the Round of 32.

It’s impossible to look at the most impressive African competitors and not name Cape Verde as the surprise package of the tournament. With the team making their World Cup debut, everyone expected the Blue Sharks to struggle in Group H, including some of their own players, with striker Dailon Livramento saying the nation simply wanted to have some fun prior to the competition.

However, draws against Spain and then Uruguay have made a lasting impression. Goalkeeper Vozinha excelled between the posts against La Roja, before Kevin Lenini and Heilo Varela stepped up to score against Uruguay. Some might have doubted Cape Verde’s credentials prior to the World Cup, but nobody is questioning their self-belief now.

Making their first appearance at the World Cup since 2010, South Africa were predicted to struggle in Group A. A 2-0 loss to Mexico only showed why many underestimated Bafana Bafana before the tournament, but it has been a historic competition since then.

A draw against Czechia and a win against South Korea secured their place in the knockout stages for the first time. Hugo Broos’ team will now face Canada in the Round of 32, and supporters can check out how they are expected to fare in that game by using Goal.com’s football betting guides here.

To say that Morocco have surpassed expectations is a touch unfair on the Atlas Lions. The reigning AFCON champions and World Cup semi-finalists in 2022, they are regarded as a top-10 team in the world according to FIFA’s World Rankings, and were expected to progress to the knockout stages.

Nevertheless, not many expected them to go toe-to-toe with Brazil, and had Mohamed Ouahbi’s team taken their chances, then they would have recorded a flawless record in Group C. As it turned out, they only finished behind Brazil on goal difference, but confidence is sky-high heading into the Round of 32, and for good reason too.

Germany were considered favourites in Group E, but Ecuador were widely backed as dark horses this summer, having impressed in CONMEBOL qualifying where they finished second in the standings. But Côte d'Ivoire managed to grab a late winner against their South American opponents and were on top for large portions of the game.

Les Éléphants then took the lead against Germany and were only defeated after two late goals from Deniz Undav. Despite that, many were impressed that Emerse Fae’s squad held their own against the four-time World Cup winners, who have certainly caught the eye with their attacking threat this summer.