2026 FIFA World Cup: Africa's title challenge ends in a whimper

The 2026 World Cup revealed that African teams, despite strong group performances, faltered in the knockout stages. Out of ten representatives, nine reached the round of 32, but only Morocco and Egypt advanced to the last 16. Losses by teams like Ivory Coast, Senegal, and DR Congo followed a pattern of early dominance followed by complacency and late goals conceded.