After weeks of drama, heartbreak, and historic moments, the FIFA World Cup 2026 has reached the knockout stage with three MENA nations still standing. Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria have all secured places in the Round of 32, keeping Arab hopes alive after Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan, Qatar, Iran, and Turkey all saw their campaigns come to an end.
Each team arrives at the knockout rounds with a different story. Egypt bounced back after an opening draw, Morocco navigated one of the tournament’s toughest groups unbeaten, while Algeria secured qualification on the final matchday after a dramatic draw. Now, the margin for error is gone, with a place in the last 16 on the line.
Egypt vs. Australia
Egypt finished second in Group G to book a Round of 32 clash against Australia on July 3 in Arlington, Texas. After a draw to Belgium in their opening match, the Pharaohs revived their campaign with a historic 3-1 victory over New Zealand before securing qualification with a draw against Iran.
Australia also finished as runners-up in Group D. The Socceroos began their tournament with a defeat to the United States before earning a crucial win over Turkey and holding Paraguay to a goalless draw, securing their place in the knockout stage.
The winner of Egypt and Australia will advance to the Round of 16, where they will face the winner of Argentina vs. Cape Verde, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
Morocco vs. Netherlands
Morocco faces one of the Round of 32’s standout ties when they meet the Netherlands on June 29 in Guadalupe, Mexico.
The Atlas Lions enjoyed an unbeaten group-stage campaign, collecting seven points from matches against Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti to finish second in Group C on goal difference behind Brazil. Their disciplined performances and tactical flexibility have made them one of Africa’s most impressive teams heading into the knockout rounds.
The Netherlands also progressed after a strong Group F campaign, setting up what promises to be one of the most evenly matched knockout fixtures.
The winner will move on to the Round of 16 to face Canada, who became the first team to book their place in the next round after defeating South Africa.
Algeria vs. Switzerland
Algeria’s World Cup journey came down to the final group-stage match, with the Desert Foxes producing a dramatic draw against Austria to secure second place in Group J and advance to the knockout rounds. They suffered a 3-0 loss to defending champions Argentina before ending their campaign with a victory over Jordan, leaving everything to play for on the final matchday.
They are set to face Switzerland on July 2 in Vancouver, Canada, which also progressed from a competitive Group B after finishing as runners-up.
Victory would send Algeria into the Round of 16 against either Colombia or Ghana, with the chance to equal or surpass their historic run to the last 16 at the 2014 World Cup.
As the tournament enters its win-or-go-home phase, Egypt, Morocco and Algeria carry not only their own ambitions but also the hopes of football fans across the Arab world. A place in the Round of 16 awaits, and with the bracket opening up, each nation has the opportunity to write another memorable chapter in MENA football history.
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