Nine of the 10 African teams that qualified for the 2026 World Cup have reached the knockout stage, making up more than 28% of the sides still in the tournament, according to the source text.
South Africa carry momentum into their Round of 32 meeting with Canada after finishing strongly against Czechia and beating South Korea in Monterrey to reach the knockouts for the first time, the source says. The Bafana Bafana recovered from a 2-0 opening defeat by Mexico in which they were reduced to nine men and have found a balance between defensive structure and attacking intent; the return of midfielder Teboho Mokoena and experience from a deep 2024 Africa Cup of Nations run were cited as positives. Canada’s 6-0 win over Qatar impressed, but struggles against Switzerland left them second in their group and without home advantage; the source predicts South Africa to prevail.
The standout tie is the Netherlands against Morocco in Monterrey, the source adds. Morocco earned a draw with Brazil and saw off Scotland and Haiti, and are described as tactically adroit and able to adapt to match conditions. While the Dutch are viewed as more creative and deeper, the source argues Morocco have the knockout experience to handle elite European opponents and backs the Atlas Lions to pull off another notable World Cup victory.
The Ivory Coast versus Norway is called a particularly difficult match to forecast. The Elephants have been one of the tournament’s surprise packages — edging Ecuador late, holding their own against Germany before a late defeat, then advancing past Curaçao — and are expected to benefit from that group-stage experience. The source notes the Ivorian midfield control and attacking options could give them an edge against the challenge posed by Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard and predicts Ivory Coast to advance.
The report describes England’s tie with the Democratic Republic of Congo as a potential banana skin. It notes this is the sides’ first meeting, that many DR Congo players have links to English football, and that the Leopards can slow games, frustrate opponents and use athletic, direct play to unsettle defenses. The source’s analysis of this fixture stops before offering a prediction.
