Ghana Are Out: Here's Who Ghanaians Can Get Behind for the Rest of the World Cup
The Black Stars' World Cup is over. Ghana's 1-0 Round of 32 defeat to Colombia in Kansas City ended a run that had already made history: Ghana's first knockout-stage appearance since 2010. For a few days, Accra, Kumasi and Tamale will feel the loss. But the tournament doesn't stop, and if you've spent a month building your evenings around Black Stars fixtures, there's still plenty of World Cup left to care about. Here's where African football fans can turn their attention next.
Africa's Best-Ever World Cup, Even Without Ghana
Zoom out and this has quietly been the greatest World Cup in CAF history. Nine African nations qualified (Morocco, Egypt, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Cape Verde, South Africa, Algeria and DR Congo), and for the first time ever, all nine survived the group stage into the Round of 32. That run has thinned out fast in the knockouts: Ivory Coast fell to Norway, South Africa lost to co-hosts Canada, Algeria went out to Switzerland, DR Congo were beaten by England, Senegal lost a five-goal thriller to Belgium, Cape Verde's fairytale ended in extra time against Argentina, and now Ghana have joined them on the flight home. Two teams are still flying the continent's flag: Morocco and Egypt.
Morocco: Carrying the Continent Into the Quarters
Morocco have been the standard-bearers all tournament. They needed penalties to see off the Netherlands in the Round of 32, then produced their most complete performance of the World Cup to beat co-hosts Canada 3-0 in the Round of 16 on July 4, with Azzedine Ounahi scoring twice. That sets up a heavyweight quarterfinal against France on Thursday, July 9 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, a repeat of their unforgettable 2022 semi-final meeting, this time one round earlier.
| Bookmaker | France to Advance | Morocco to Advance |
|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.28 | 3.75 |
| Betway | 1.30 | 3.60 |
| SportyBet | 1.27 | 3.80 |
France are clear favourites on paper, but Morocco arrive with nothing to fear: they're the only side left in the draw who've already beaten this generation of Les Bleus at a World Cup.
Egypt: Writing History Against Argentina
Egypt's run has been just as remarkable in its own way. They needed a penalty shootout to get past Australia in the Round of 32, but that shootout win was Egypt's first-ever knockout-stage victory at a World Cup, in their fourth appearance at the tournament. Now comes the hardest test in the draw: Argentina, in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 7.
| Bookmaker | Argentina (1) | Draw (X) | Egypt (2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1xBet | 1.35 | 4.60 | 9.00 |
| Betway | 1.37 | 4.50 | 8.50 |
| SportyBet | 1.36 | 4.55 | 8.75 |
Nobody expects Egypt to win this one. But nobody expected them to beat Australia on penalties either, and Mohamed Salah has been saving his best World Cup performances for exactly this kind of stage.
Other Squads Carrying African Colours
If neither Morocco nor Egypt feels like quite enough World Cup for you, look a little closer at the squads still standing. Belgium, through to the Round of 16 after edging Senegal 3-2, are built around Romelu Lukaku, whose parents are both Congolese. England, who beat DR Congo 2-1, field Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze, both of Nigerian heritage, alongside Ivorian-rooted defender Marc Guehi. None of that makes these teams "African" in the way Morocco and Egypt are, but it's a reminder that the continent's football influence runs through more of this tournament than the CAF qualifying table shows.
Where to Follow (and Bet) the Rest of the Tournament
Every remaining African fixture is worth a look on a licensed Ghanaian platform. Check our 1xBet, Betway and SportyBet reviews for MoMo deposit times and welcome bonuses if you haven't settled on a book yet, and see our Weekend Round-Up for the full slate of knockout fixtures still to come. All three are licensed by the Gaming Commission of Ghana, so winnings are subject to the standard 10% withholding tax, same as any other bet placed at home.
Note: Ghana's exit stings, but there's no need to chase it back on the next slip. Bet on what you actually watch and rate, not on frustration. Always gamble responsibly, and if betting ever stops feeling like a choice, our guide to free, confidential help in Ghana is there for you.