{"id":5459,"date":"2026-06-28T09:04:34","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T09:04:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=5459"},"modified":"2026-06-28T09:04:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T09:04:34","slug":"congo-algeria-become-8th-and-9th-african-teams-to-make-the-world-cup-round-of-32","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/movinginsiderusa.com\/?p=5459","title":{"rendered":"Congo, Algeria become 8th and 9th African teams to make the World Cup round of 32"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Congo\u2019s Yoane Wissa (20) celebrates with teammates after scoring their third goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Atlanta, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo\/Mike Stewart)<\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n

ATLANTA \u2014 Africa had a historic 10 nations qualify for the 2026 World Cup. After Congo’s 3-1 victory<\/a> over Uzbekistan and Algeria’s stunning 3-3 draw<\/a> against Austria on Saturday night, nine are headed to the knockout stage.<\/p>

Read more Iran narrowly knocked out of tumultuous World Cup on Austria\u2019s last-second goal<\/a><\/p>\n

The previous record was two.<\/p>\n

After 17 days of competition, Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast<\/a> , Ghana, Cape Verde, Egypt, Congo and Algeria qualified for the round of 32.<\/p>\n

Morocco was the first African nation to reach the semifinals of the World Cup four years ago in Qatar and looks capable of going deep again, having already held Brazil to a 1-1 draw. It is a co-host for the next edition of the World Cup in 2030.<\/p>\n

Only six African countries had ever qualified for the knockout stage (several of them multiple times). The most in the same year had been two, in 2014 and \u201922.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s tournament has shown the strength of African soccer goes deep, with Cape Verde<\/a> and Congo both surprise names in the round of 32.<\/p>\n

Congo has a tall task in facing England next, but for now, the team is soaking in the moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really historic for our country, Congo,\u201d forward Fiston Mayele said after the game. \u201cIt\u2019s the first win and the first knockout stage. Today, I have to be proud here, and almost everywhere in my country, everyone is happy with what we did. We\u2019re proud to be Congolese, and I think we will keep going.\u201d<\/p>

Read more Reshaped Caps turn attention to free agency: \u2018We\u2019ve got a really good core group\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

Mayele scored a goal 78 minutes in, sandwiched between two scores from Yoane Wissa \u2014 a penalty kick at the 68-minute mark and another in stoppage time.<\/p>\n

Algeria advanced after the most thrilling ending to a game at this year\u2019s World Cup. It was tied 2-all with Austria in stoppage time and seemed content to play for a tie until captain Riyad Mahrez struck suddenly for a go-ahead goal. Austria countered two minutes later on the final play of the game, but the draw was still enough to advance both teams.<\/p>\n

After Congo\u2019s win, with the player of the game trophy by his side, Wissa described the long road it\u2019s been for his country to get to this point.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s only the second time we are in the World Cup, 52 years later. We started to qualify for the World Cup four years ago with this group,\u201d Wissa said. \u201cFirst game against Portugal, you drawed. You lost against Colombia. Now you\u2019re losing one-nil after (10) minutes, so yeah, nothing is easy in football. We just need to show resilience, and when a time like this comes, you have to enjoy, because it\u2019s not easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wissa hopes that the success in this World Cup shows that the future is bright for African soccer teams with young talent paving the way.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow every African team can dream big. The last World Cup, Morocco has been to the semifinal. Now I think it\u2019s eight teams,\u201d Wissa said. \u201cWhat\u2019s coming next is good for the African teams, and we can see that now youngest players come earlier, and we showed our team with (Noah) Sadiki, (Ngal\u2019ayel) Mukau, so that\u2019s good, and that shows our federation can dream big.\u201d<\/p>

Read more Scotland coach Steve Clarke leaves after World Cup elimination despite new contract<\/a><\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

See more of AP\u2019s World Cup coverage here<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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