Africa's World Cup aspirations faced a significant blow as seven teams were eliminated in the last 32, marking a historic collapse for the continent. Only Egypt and Morocco remain in the tournament, setting an unwanted record for African nations in the competition.

Morocco and Egypt are the last two African nations remaining in the FIFA World Cup, following the elimination of Ghana and Cape Verde in the Round of 32. Their exits mark a disappointing moment for African teams in the tournament, as they were unable to advance further.

As the World Cup 2026 approaches, multiple African nations are competing for qualification to the knockout stage, with only Tunisia having been eliminated so far. Nine teams remain in contention as they prepare for their crucial final group matches, aiming for a spot in the Round of 32.

Cape Verde's World Cup team returned to their hotel in Miami Gardens after being eliminated from the tournament, greeted by a cheering crowd despite their loss. This reception signifies a shift in how the team is perceived and suggests that their journey in the tournament has had a lasting impact on the nation and its supporters, according to AP.

Cape Verde has garnered attention during the expanded 48-team World Cup tournament, with many considering their performance a fairytale story despite their defeat. The island nation is celebrating what they perceive as a 'victory' in spirit, confounding expectations throughout the competition, according to Vanguard Sports.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage is underway, with several teams advancing to the round of 32 while others have been eliminated. This tournament marks the first expansion to 48 teams, accompanied by a new qualification system that allows more nations, including some third-placed teams, to progress to the knockout rounds, according to The Kenya Times.