World Cup 2026: Morocco stands alone as Egypt’s exit ends Africa’s record-breaking run

Morocco now stands alone as the only team from Africa in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final stage.

This follows Egypt’s painful exit at the hands of Argentina in the Round of 16 on Tuesday.

DAILY POST reports that Egypt threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 3-2 against Argentina in the Round of 16 fixture played at Atlanta Stadium.

The Pharaohs took the lead via Yasser Ibrahim in the 15th minute of the encounter, before Mostafa Zico doubled the lead for the North Africans in the second.

But three late goals from Lionel Messi, Cristian Romero, and Enzo Fernandez, gave Lionel Scaloni’s side the victory against Egypt as they qualified for the quarter-final.

The outcome of the match means Egypt exits the World Cup, as Morocco is now officially the only African team left in the competition.

DAILY POST reports that ten African teams – Tunisia, DR Congo, South Africa, Ghana, Cape Verde, Senegal, Algeria, Ivory Coast, Egypt and Morocco – represented the continent at this year’s edition of the World Cup.

It was a historic continental milestone achievement for Africa at the expanded 48-team 2026 FIFA World Cup. 

Nine out of the ten teams successfully advanced to the Round of 32 stage, as only Tunisia failed to make it out from the group stage.

But after the Round of 32 fixtures, only Morocco and Egypt made it to the Round of 16 stage.

Morocco then thrashed co-host nation Canada 3-0 in the last-16 encounter to progress to the quarter-final stage, where they will face France on Thursday.

However, unfortunately, Egypt failed to advance to the last-8 after losing against defending champions Argentina, who will now face Switzerland in their next fixture on Sunday.

Speaking with DAILY POST, respected Lagos-based journalist, Femi Fabunmi, insisted that the quarter-final stage will be the end of the road for African teams.

According to him, he doesn’t see Morocco beating France in the last-8, adding that all the African teams gave their best.

“Well, these African teams have really tried their best, having gone this far in the competition. However, I think they have gotten to the end of the competition,” Fabunmi said.

“I do not see Morocco beating the French side which seems to be the best team in this mundial.

“No disrespect to the Moroccan side, who has given their all.

“On Paper France is it, but in reality, upset happens in football, so on that basis, Morocco may pull an upset.

“Egypt gave their best and did pretty well against Argentina until the last moments of the encounter. We all know that at the moment, Argentina is the highest-ranked team according to FIFA.

“The truth is the standard of football being played in Europe and South America is high, and I’m sure Africa is getting there gradually,” he stated.

World Cup 2026: Morocco stands alone as Egypt’s exit ends Africa’s record-breaking run