2026 FIFA World Cup | Round of 32 | Saturday July 4
- Colombia 1-0 Ghana
Africa’s hopes at the 2026 FIFA World Cup have been cut to just two teams after Ghana’s 1-0 defeat to Colombia confirmed that only Morocco and Egypt have reached the Round of 16.
The Black Stars became the seventh African nation to exit the tournament at the Round of 32 stage on Saturday after Jhon Arias scored the only goal at Kansas City Stadium.
Arias struck in the 14th minute, meeting a precise cross from substitute Luis Suarez, who had come on after Jhon Cordoba was forced off with an early injury. That proved enough to send Colombia into a last-16 meeting with Switzerland in Vancouver on Tuesday.
Ghana responded positively and created promising moments through Antoine Semenyo, but Colombia’s organised defence denied them a way back into the match.
Luis Diaz thought he had doubled Colombia’s lead early in the second half, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi also produced several fine saves to keep the score respectable as Colombia pushed for a second.
The match also made World Cup history, with both teams making injury-enforced substitutions before the 15th minute for the first time in the tournament’s history.
Backed by thousands of passionate supporters, Colombia looked comfortable throughout and stretched their unbeaten run with another disciplined performance.
For Africa, Ghana’s defeat completed a disappointing Round of 32. Earlier, Cape Verde’s dream debut ended with a brave 3-2 extra-time defeat to defending champions Argentina after pushing the world champions to the limit. Algeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, DR Congo and South Africa had already been eliminated.
From ten African teams that started the tournament, only Morocco and Egypt remain in the race for World Cup glory, carrying the continent’s hopes into the last 16.
