All sub-Saharan African nations knocked out of World Cup: How each team performed
By Joel Masibo, July 4, 2026Ghana’s journey at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has come to an end after a 1-0 loss to Colombia in the Round of 32, making them the seventh African nation to be knocked out of the tournament.
The Black Stars were the last sub-Saharan African country to bow out of the tournament on Saturday, July 4, 2026, at the Kansas City Stadium, Kansas City.
Jhon Arias scored the only goal in the 14th minute of the tie, sending the South Americans through at the expense of the West Africans. Ghana becomes the latest African nation to exit the competition after DR Congo, Algeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, South Africa and Cape Verde.
While the sub-Saharan African region has been left without a participant at the ongoing World Cup 2026, the continent is well represented by two sides from the north; Egypt who prevailed against Australia on Friday, July 3, 2026 and Morocco who stunned the Netherlands to reach the tourney’s last 16 earlier.
How each team performed
Cape Verde
Lionel Messi scored his 20th World Cup goal as Argentina reached the World Cup round of 16 with a dramatic 3-2 win over Cabo Verde after extra time on Saturday. The defending champions will meet record African champions Egypt in the FIFA World Cup 2026 last 16.
Algeria
Switzerland booked their place in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 after defeating Algeria 2-0 in Vancouver on Friday, July 3, 2026, extending their unbeaten run in the tournament.
Breel Embolo put the Swiss ahead early, finding the net in the 10th minute to give his side a dream start. Just moments after the restart, Dan Ndoye added a second goal, striking in the 46th minute to put Switzerland firmly in control and seal the victory.
DR Congo
Harry Kane lived it late to score in the 75th and 86th minutes to send England to the World Cup 2026 Round of 16 against a spirited side of DR Congo at the Mercedes- Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
Brian Cipenga had put DR Congo ahead in the 7th minute, but England head coach Thomas Tuchel brought in Anthony Gordon in the second half to provide all the vital assists that saw the Three Lions snatch all the important points from the Leopards. England will meet tournament co-hosts Mexico in the Round of 16, while DR Congo becomes the latest African side to bow out of the competition.
Senegal
The Lions of Teranga threw away their healthy 2-0 lead to be eliminated by the spirited Belgian side. With the match seemingly destined for an official penalty shootout sequence at a raucous Seattle Stadium, a dramatic video assistant referee intervention in the 119th minute completely flipped the narrative, handing Belgium a 3–2 victory and a ticket to the Round of 16.
Ivory Coast
Erling Haaland struck four minutes from time to fire Norway into the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast, setting up a mouthwatering clash against Brazil.
The Manchester City striker scored in the 86th minute after meeting Patrick Berg’s low pass from close range, breaking Ivorian hearts in a tightly contested Round of 32 encounter at AT&T Stadium on Tuesday.
South Africa
Stephen Eustaquio scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner for co-hosts Canada as they beat South Africa 1-0 to become the first team to book their place in the last 16 of the World Cup.
The game looked to be petering out to extra-time and possibly penalties following a stoic defensive performance from South Africa until Eustaquio chested the ball down inside the box and nestled his half volley into the far corner to finally beat Ronwen Williams in the 92nd minute.
Meanwhile, with two North African powerhouses remaining at the tournament, Africa is still represented after sending a record 10 teams to the expanded FIFA World Cup 2026 being staged in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico.