Four of the Nine Africa’s representation at the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to a close this week, as South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo and Senegal all exited the tournament at the Round of 32 stage. Each defeat was defined by late drama, and in one case, one of the most dramatic collapses the tournament has produced so far.
South Africa 0-1 Canada
Bafana Bafana’s historic run, their first-ever appearance in a World Cup knockout round ended in Los Angeles against co-hosts Canada. The result marks South Africa’s best World Cup finish since 2010, a landmark achievement even in defeat.
Canada’s winner arrived deep into stoppage time, at the 90+2′ mark, sending the co-hosts through to the Round of 16 to face Morocco.
Côte d’Ivoire 1-2 Norway
In Dallas, Côte d’Ivoire’s campaign ended at the hands of a Norway side built around Erling Haaland. The Elephants, who advanced from Group E, were undone by a decisive strike in the 86th minute. Norway now progress to face Brazil in the Round of 16.
DR Congo 1-2 England
DR Congo pushed England deep into their Round of 32 tie in Atlanta before falling to a late winner, also in the 86th minute. The Group L runners-up gave the Three Lions a genuine scare, but a decisive intervention settled the contest in England’s favour, extending DR Congo’s search for a first-ever World Cup knockout victory.
Senegal 2-3 Belgium (AET)
The most dramatic of the four African exits came in Seattle. Senegal appeared destined for the Round of 16 after goals either side of half-time gave the Lions of Teranga a commanding 2-0 lead. Belgium’s comeback then produced one of the tournament’s most chaotic finishes. Romelu Lukaku, introduced at half-time, pulled one back in the 86th minute before captain Youri Tielemans headed home an equaliser in the 89th to force extra time.
Three of the four African exits were decided in the final ten minutes or later, a measure of how narrow the margins have become at this World Cup.
The match remained goalless through the additional 30 minutes until a contentious penalty award deep into extra time, converted by Tielemans, sealed a 3-2 victory for Belgium. The Red Devils advance to face the winner of USA against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A Tournament of Fine Margins
Taken together, the four results underline how narrow the gap has become between Africa’s leading countries and the world’s traditional powers. South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, DR Congo and Senegal all took their matches to the wire, three were decided in the final ten minutes or beyond, and one required extra time and a controversial penalty to separate the sides.
While the continent’s interest in the 2026 World Cup ends at the Round of 32 for these four countries, Morocco, Ghana, Algeria, Cape Verde, Egypt remain in contention, keeping African hopes alive deeper into the tournament.