Argentina are set to carve out a unique piece of FIFA World Cup history when they take on Egypt in their Round of 16 encounter on Tuesday.

The South Americans will become the first team ever to face three African nations in a single edition of the World Cup, underlining the growing influence of the continent on football’s biggest stage.

Already in the course of their 2026 campaign, Argentina have crossed paths with two African opponents. Lionel Scaloni’s side opened their knockout journey against fairytale debutants Cape Verde, overcoming the island nation 3-2 in a thrilling Round of 32 contest.

Earlier in the group phase, they had also met Algeria, continuing a long tradition of World Cup encounters between Argentina and African representatives.

Now Egypt stand in their path, making it three African opponents in the same tournament – a first in the 96-year history of the FIFA World Cup.

The milestone is a reflection not only of Argentina’s route through the competition but also of Africa’s unprecedented presence in the latter stages of the 2026 tournament. For the first time, multiple African nations advanced deep into the knockout rounds, increasing the likelihood of intercontinental encounters.

Historically, Argentina have had a long relationship with African teams at the World Cup.

Their tournament journey famously began with a defeat to Cameroon in the opening match of Italia ’90, one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. Since then, they have faced the likes of Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, South Africa and Algeria across different editions of the competition.

No nation, however, had ever found itself facing three African opponents in a single World Cup before now.

The achievement further highlights the expanded nature of the 2026 tournament, which features 48 teams and a larger knockout phase, creating opportunities for records and matchups previously considered unlikely.

For Egypt, meanwhile, the match represents another opportunity to add to Africa’s growing influence at the tournament. The Pharaohs arrive unbeaten in four consecutive World Cup matches, a national record, and are eager to become the latest African side to upset one of football’s traditional heavyweights.

Whether Argentina’s historic sequence against African opposition continues beyond Tuesday remains to be seen. But regardless of the outcome, the Albiceleste have already secured a unique place in World Cup history by becoming the first team to face three African nations in a single edition of the global showpiece.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Argentina’s march towards another FIFA World Cup title will face a stern test on Tuesday when the South Americans take on an increasingly confident Egypt side in a Round of 16 clash featuring two teams enjoying record unbeaten streaks.

The two-time world champions arrive in the knockout phase riding a ten-match unbeaten run at the World Cup, equalling their longest ever streak in the competition. With eight victories and two draws during that sequence, Argentina have once again underlined why they remain among the favourites to lift the trophy.

Yet Egypt have quietly built a record of their own.

The Pharaohs have gone four consecutive World Cup matches without defeat – the longest unbeaten stretch in their history at the finals – and have emerged as one of Africa’s surprise packages of the tournament.

Having progressed through a difficult path to reach the last 16, Egypt have displayed remarkable resilience, drawing three of their last four World Cup matches while securing a memorable victory to keep their campaign alive.

Argentina, however, possess a wealth of attacking talent and arrive buoyed by a dramatic 3-2 victory over fairytale debutants Cape Verde in the previous round. Their ability to combine experience with flair has made them one of the tournament’s most dangerous sides.

For Egypt, the challenge will be containing Argentina’s attacking threat while seeking opportunities on the counterattack. The North Africans have built their success on defensive discipline and tactical organisation, qualities they will need in abundance against one of football’s traditional giants.

With both nations carrying historic unbeaten runs into the contest, the stage is set for a fascinating encounter in which one remarkable sequence will inevitably come to an end.

The winners will advance to the quarter-finals, moving one step closer to World Cup glory, while the losers will see their impressive streak brought to a halt on football’s biggest stage.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

If recent history is any guide, fans can expect goals when Switzerland and Colombia meet in Tuesday’s FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash.

Both teams have developed impressive scoring habits, making this one of the most intriguing knockout matches of the tournament.

Switzerland arrive with a national-record streak of scoring in six consecutive World Cup matches. The Swiss have combined defensive solidity with an increasingly potent attack, proving capable of troubling opponents in a variety of ways.

Their route to the last 16 included a disciplined 2-0 victory over Algeria, a result that reinforced their growing reputation as one of the tournament’s most balanced teams.

Colombia, meanwhile, have been even more prolific.

The South Americans have found the net in 12 of their last 13 World Cup matches, a statistic that underlines their attacking consistency across multiple tournaments. Their ability to create and convert chances has been a defining feature of their campaign and a major reason why they remain dangerous opponents.

Colombia booked their place in the last 16 with a narrow but hard-fought 1-0 victory over Ghana, demonstrating that they can grind out results even when free-flowing football is difficult to produce.

With both nations boasting impressive scoring records, the contest promises an intriguing battle between two teams confident in front of goal.

Switzerland will hope their disciplined structure and efficiency can carry them through, while Colombia will look to their attacking flair and creativity to unlock the Swiss defence.

A place in the World Cup quarter-finals is at stake, and with goals seemingly guaranteed whenever these sides take the field, neutrals can expect a thrilling showdown.

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