Congo, Algeria become 8th and 9th African teams to make the World Cup round of 32

ATLANTA (AP) — Africa had a historic 10 nations qualify for the 2026 World Cup. After Congo's 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan and Algeria's stunning 3-3 draw against Austria on Saturday night, nine are headed to the knockout stage.

The previous record was two.

After 17 days of competition, Morocco, South Africa, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cape Verde, Egypt, Congo and Algeria qualified for the round of 32.

Morocco was the first African nation to reach the semifinals of the World Cup four years ago in Qatar and looks capable of going deep again, having already held Brazil to a 1-1 draw. It is a co-host for the next edition of the World Cup in 2030.

Only six African countries had ever qualified for the knockout stage (several of them multiple times). The most in the same year had been two, in 2014 and ’22.

This year's tournament has shown the strength of African soccer goes deep, with Cape Verde and Congo both surprise names in the round of 32.

Congo has a tall task in facing England next, but for now, the team is soaking in the moment.

“It’s really historic for our country, Congo,” forward Fiston Mayele said after the game. "It’s the first win and the first knockout stage. Today, I have to be proud here, and almost everywhere in my country, everyone is happy with what we did. We’re proud to be Congolese, and I think we will keep going.”

Mayele scored a goal 78 minutes in, sandwiched between two scores from Yoane Wissa — a penalty kick at the 68-minute mark and another in stoppage time.

Algeria advanced after the most thrilling ending to a game at this year's World Cup. It was tied 2-all with Austria in stoppage time and seemed content to play for a tie until captain Riyad Mahrez struck suddenly for a go-ahead goal. Austria countered two minutes later on the final play of the game, but the draw was still enough to advance both teams.

After Congo's win, with the player of the game trophy by his side, Wissa described the long road it's been for his country to get to this point.

“It’s only the second time we are in the World Cup, 52 years later. We started to qualify for the World Cup four years ago with this group," Wissa said. "First game against Portugal, you drawed. You lost against Colombia. Now you’re losing one-nil after (10) minutes, so yeah, nothing is easy in football. We just need to show resilience, and when a time like this comes, you have to enjoy, because it’s not easy.”

Wissa hopes that the success in this World Cup shows that the future is bright for African soccer teams with young talent paving the way.

“Now every African team can dream big. The last World Cup, Morocco has been to the semifinal. Now I think it's eight teams," Wissa said. “What's coming next is good for the African teams, and we can see that now youngest players come earlier, and we showed our team with (Noah) Sadiki, (Ngal'ayel) Mukau, so that's good, and that shows our federation can dream big.”

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Fans cheer after the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Austria's players celebrates after Austria's Sasa Kalajdzic (14) scored to tie the match during the World Cup Group J soccer match between Algeria and Austria in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Congo's Yoane Wissa (20) celebrates a win during the World Cup Group K soccer match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Atlanta, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Congo's Chancel Mbemba (22) and Nathanael Mbuku (7) celebrate after the World Cup Group K soccer match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Atlanta, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Congo's Yoane Wissa (20) celebrates scoring their third goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Atlanta, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Congo's Fiston Mayele (19) scores their second goal against Uzbekistan goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov (12) during the World Cup Group K soccer match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Atlanta, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)

Congo's Yoane Wissa (20) celebrates with teammates after scoring their third goal during the World Cup Group K soccer match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Atlanta, Saturday, June 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

LONDON (AP) — A Zoe Harrison intercept try after the fulltime siren snatched a gripping 26-19 win for world champion England against archrival New Zealand in WXV women's rugby at Twickenham on Saturday.

England, on a 40-match unbeaten run, looked like taking a second consecutive draw at 19-19 after finishing with Canada 26-26 last weekend. But unlike Canada the No. 2-ranked Black Ferns chose not to kick the ball out and accept a draw and, instead, went for the win in the 81st minute from their 22 of an already classic contest.

But Harrison intercepted Amy du Plessis just 15 meters out from the New Zealand tryline and the crowd of 59,871 erupted in joy and relief.

Harrison added the conversion only moments after her 43-meter penalty kick to win the game in the 80th minute fell well short.

New Zealand dominated possession and territory and led 12-7 at halftime but rued not finishing enough chances. Three knock-ons and two ruck turnovers stymied long blocks of pressure by the Black Ferns in the Red Roses 22.

Barrelling runs by No. 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, playing her first game in five weeks, and winger Ayesha Leti-I'iga, in her first game in three weeks, put England on its heels, while the Red Roses were spearheaded by No. 8 Maddie Feaunati and captain Megan Jones.

England got an early let-off when a Leti-I'iga try was scrubbed off because she didn't release the ball in a tackle. England scored first instead when fullback Ellie Kildunne brushed off opposite Braxton Sorensen-McGee and gave winger Claudia Moloney-MacDonald her fourth try this month.

New Zealand then spent 10 minutes in England's half and appeared to waste it until Du Plessis chased a clearance back to halfway, turned and kicked into empty space and beat everyone to the ball in goal.

New Zealand moved ahead after flyhalf Hannah King's dummy and break sent over Leti-I'iga.

England regained the lead after halftime at 14-12 when Jess Breach drew three defenders to let Kildunne slip away untouched around the corner.

While Ferns prop Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu was in the sin-bin for head contact that forced off Marlie Packer, England bulldozed New Zealand's seven-women scrum for Breach to score her 58th try.

The Black Ferns drew level with 10 minutes to go when winger Mererangi Paul scored from Du Plessis' floated pass.

See AP’s full rugby coverage here

New Zealand's Mererangi Paul scores a try during the WXV Global Series match between England and New Zealand in London, Saturday Sept. 26, 2026. (David Davies/PA via AP)

New Zealand's Georgia Ponsonby is tackled by England's Megan Jones during the WXV Global Series match between England and New Zealand in London, Saturday Sept. 26, 2026. (David Davies/PA via AP)

England's Megan Jones gets past the tackle of New Zealand's Maiakawanakaulani Roos during the WXV Global Series match between England and New Zealand in London, Saturday Sept. 26, 2026. (David Davies/PA via AP)

England celebrate the winning try during the WXV Global Series match between England and New Zealand in London, Saturday Sept. 26, 2026. (David Davies/PA via AP)