DR Congo team / X@Presidence_RDC

Africans were all smiles at the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026 as 10 of their teams have made the final round. The teams – Algeria, Cape Verde, Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Senegal, South Africa and Tunisia raised hopes of creating a dent in the European-South America dominance in the sport.

They continued to smile even until the end of the Group matches as for the exception of Tunisia, the remaining nine teams made it to the round of 32. Among the African teams that continued their march forward was debutant and one of the smallest nations, Cape Verde. With its winless and lossless record in the group matches, it not only made the round of 32 but also earned the right to challenge the defending champions, Argentina. The game is scheduled for Saturday.

Morocco also put up a commendable performance when it beat the Netherlands in the penalty shootout to move to the round of 16 where it will take on one of the three co-hosts, Canada, at Houston on Saturday.

However, big heartbreak for Africans came on Wednesday when two of its fancied teams – Congo and Senegal – made an unceremonious departure from the tournament after taking the lead against their European opponents.

Congo had taken a 1-0 lead against England before Harry Kane blew up that lead to score twice in the second half to carry his team to the pre-quarterfinals.

Senegal’s agony was much more distressing as it had taken a comfortable match winning 2-0 lead against Belgium. But it squandered it away and lost the match in extra time through a controversial “penalty” at the fag end of the match.

As the gloom cast its spell in African camp in general and the Senegal camp in particular, one of its midfielders, Pape Gueye, took to the social media handles and made a startling statement.

Pape Gueye, who was left frustrated by the coach's tactics, has threatened to stop playing for his nation should head coach Pape Thiaw remain in charge.

In its Round of 32 match on Wednesday, the Senegalese suffered a devastating loss after giving up a two-goal advantage to lose 3-2 to Belgium.

Midfielder Gueye reacted emotionally to the loss, saying he would quit his international career unless there were changes to the coaching staff of the national squad.

The 26-year-old wrote in an Instagram post following the game: "I will come back later to discuss the causes for the elimination". But today I am declaring that I will stop participating for the national team as long as this coaching staff stays.

Gueye's remarks come following one of Senegal's most agonising World Cup losses, when the West Africans seemed to have one foot in the last 16 before having a spectacular collapse.

Senegal could not have asked for a better start. It got the much needed lead when Habib Diarra scored from the rebound after Ismaila Sarr's header hit the post. With his fourth goal of the competition, a strike that also brought him at par with Roger Milla's record for the most goals scored by an African player at a single men's World Cup, Sarr then extended the Teranga Lions' lead. (2-0 to Senegal).

At that stage Senegal looked set for a place in the round of 16, given a two-goal advantage. But Belgium staged a massive comeback, scoring three late goals to close the gap and complete an amazing turnaround that killed Senegal's chances of advancing in the competition.

When it looked certain that Belgium was on the verge of elimination, Romelu Lukaku scored from a Thomas Meunier cross to raise its hopes of a fightback.

Spurred by the first goal, the Belgians' attack became more penetrating and incisive as Yuri Tielemans  headed Belgium back into contention. He scored to send the game into overtime, holding off two Senegal defenders and the goalkeeper, Mory Diaw.

Following a challenge on Tielemans by Camera for a potential penalty for Belgium, Youri Tielemans converted the penalty given to send Belgium into the last sixteen of the World Cup. 

The second match the Africans would love to put behind as quickly as they can was between Congo and England. It was Harry Kane's brace that rescued Thomas Tuchel's side  as it was trailing 0-1 against a spirited Congo.

Harry Kane scored a header in the 75th minute, assisted by Anthony Gordon, to equalise for England after DR Congo had taken the lead with a goal from Brian Cipenga in the 7th minute.

DR Congo defended well and controlled the game until Kane’s equaliser. However, Kane struck again with another perfect shot, giving England a 2-1 lead. This goal marks Kane's 13th in World Cup finals and his fifth in this North American campaign.

It is for the first time England came from behind to win a World Cup game after trailing at halftime since the 1966 final against West Germany.

The remaining African teams Algeria plays Switzerland, Egypt takes on Australia, Ghana faces Columbia, and Morocco challenges co-host Canada in the  round of 16 games.

 

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