Africa can look back on World Cup with satisfaction despite no top-four finish

Egypt were the next best African achievers, winning a World Cup match for the first time and advancing to the last 16, where ​they led Argentina 2-0 with 11 minutes to play but lost 3-2 amid VAR controversy.

Having already held past World ​Cup winners — Spain and Uruguay — to ⁠draws in the group stage, they twice came from behind to force holders Argentina to extra time in their last-32 tie in Miami before finally succumbing 3-2.

African interest at the World Cup ended with Morocco on Thursday, but the continent will ​be pleased with its results at the 2026 finals, even if it will have no teams in the final four.