The story of African teams at the World Cup has always been one where technical skill and fearless spirit unite to defeat systemic barriers. The 2026 World Cup was no different, as audiences witnessed historic performances from countries such as Cape Verde, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Egypt, Ghana, Senegal, and Morocco. With this year’s tournament expanded from 32 to 48 teams, the world was granted an opportunity to watch 10 African teams compete — the most represented at any World Cup so far. This change, while initially contested by some, allowed for a dynamic and thrilling event, where underdog stories and debut performances captured the hearts of billions around the world.
Such a debut story was embodied by the small island nation of Cape Verde, whose team, together with their indomitable goalkeeper Vozinha, displayed a breathtaking performance throughout the tournament. In a run that was widely referred to as a “‘Cinderella story,”Cape Verde’s Blue Sharks showed undefeatable spirit against football giants Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and ultimately Argentina. When the Blue Sharks were eventually knocked out of the tournament, they went home with pride, having given Argentina a fight of a lifetime in what was almost the greatest upset in football history.
Earlier in the tournament, Cape Verde took on Spain and held them 0-0 in the match in what was seen as a stunning victory despite their draw. The world saw that their arrival on the world stage was anything but a fluke. Cape Verde was one of the first teams to qualify and would have been present at the tournament regardless of the new expansion. Football watchers took a new interest in the small archipelago nation, According to Traveling for Business, Google searches for the country grew by over 266%.
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One of Africa’s best kept secrets, Cape Verde is located in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Senegal and has a population of around 530,000. With a history fraught by the transatlantic slave trade, Cape Verde’s story is one of struggle, resilience, and brilliance amidst overcoming colonial oppression. The joyful spirit and soul that Cape Verde displayed at this World Cup is indicative of the warm and vibrant culture that greets visitors the second they step foot on one of the nine island shores.
From the emerald shores of Cape Verde to the thrashing banks of the Congo river, Africa’s best was fully on display. Back in the World Cup after a 52-year hiatus, the DRC Leopards had fans holding their breath as they took on football goliaths Portugal and defended to a 1-1 draw. Here in Portland, over 150 fans attended the watch party, filling rooms and brimming onto the streets to celebrate the achievement. The team went on to qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time in history and, in its knockout game against England, took an early lead. For almost 75 minutes, fans sat on the edge of their seats, as it looked like Congo was about to achieve an impossible dream. When England scored two goals late into the game, that dream ended, sending the Leopards home with their heads held high after a heroic performance in the tournament.
To the north, Egypt and Morocco displayed tremendous talent and skill as they made their way deep into the qualifying rounds. Throughout their World Cup campaigns, both teams took on world titans and secured their position as global powerhouses. Egypt performed with outstanding promise as they broke the longstanding “curse of the Pharaohs” to m not only make it into the round 32 knockout stage but to defeat Australia. For the first time in history, Egypt smashed into round 16 f where they went toe-to-toe with Argentina in a highly controversial game. However, the team’s resilience and skill secured their spot as one of the big boys in global football as they played with discipline and fervor. Only 48 hours after Egypt took on Argentina, Morocco went on to their quarterfinal match against France, where they conceded two goals to France’s Les Bleus and ended Africa’s dream of winning the 2026 World Cup.
As teams returned home, they received a hero’s welcome everywhere from South Africa to Egypt for the expertise, tenacity, and joyful expression of football that they allowed billions to watch.
While the biggest tournament in the world is never without controversy, this year brought a fever and excitement to the game that has broken the ceiling of potential and success for African stories. As the event draws to a close, viewers leave with a new respect for teams regarded as underdogs and with a newfound discovery of cultures and people that would have remained off the radar. People around the world saw how big dreams can change the entire course of history if you have the spirit to chase them.
Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in the early August 2026 print edition of Amjambo Africa.
