sports
Record 10 African Nations Reach 2026 World Cup Round of 32
Nine of the ten African teams advanced past the group stage, the strongest collective showing to date. Online reactions to several squads have been shaped by the domestic policies of their home countries.
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A record ten African national teams reached the round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Nine of those sides advanced from the group stage, surpassing the prior best mark for the continent. South Africa’s captain Ronwen Williams addressed online criticism of the team before its June 18 match against Czechia.
” The comments followed attacks tied to South Africa’s immigration enforcement actions.
On the day South Africa played Mexico, Nigerian authorities received the first of 268 citizens repatriated from South Africa. South Africa’s Home Affairs ministry stated that 586 Nigerians had been processed for removal. Nigerian commentary contrasted the repatriations with Nigeria’s past role chairing the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid.
Morocco Morocco opened its campaign with a 1-1 draw against Brazil.
The team’s earlier semifinal run in 2022 drew broad continental support, partly linked to its coach’s statements on African identity.
Somali referee Omar Artan was detained for 11 hours at Miami airport and deported before the tournament. FIFA later assigned him to officiate a match between the winners of Europe’s top club competitions. Supporters of Ivory Coast and Senegal reported visa denials that prevented travel to matches.
All ten African participants joined a joint statement responding to remarks by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin that the expanded format would produce uncompetitive matches. The statement defended the inclusion of additional African sides on performance grounds.
