2026 World Cup Playoff Schedule for African (CAF) Teams

A record nine African teams will qualify for the 2026 World Cup, and 10 is a possibility as the 54 nations of CAF scrapped for places in the North American-based tournament. This historic moment in soccer reflects not only the growing strength of African football but also the competitive spirit that embodies the continent’s quest for glory on the world stage.

MORE — How will 48-team 2026 World Cup work?

Senegal, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Cape Verde, Ghana, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and South Africa have all qualified automatically after a brilliant qualification tournament. Their performances echoed a commitment to excellence that is becoming characteristic of African teams in international competitions.

As we progress into the playoffs, Nigeria’s decisive victory over Gabon and the shocking exit of Cameroon to DR Congo add layers of drama to the narrative. The sole CAF spot in the inter-confederation playoffs hangs in the balance, now a contest between Nigeria and DR Congo. This playoff not only emphasizes the fierce competition but also serves as a crucial platform for these teams to reaffirm their international credentials.

African (CAF) 2026 World Cup Qualification Format

• **First round (Nov. 15, 2023 – Oct. 14, 2025):** 54 teams, nine groups; The top team from each group qualifies for the World Cup, with the four best runners-up heading to playoff semifinals.
• **Second round (Nov. 10-18, 2025):** Four best group runners-up will stage semifinals and a final, with the winner entering the inter-confederation playoff.

African (CAF) World Cup Qualification Schedule — Playoff Fixtures

All kickoff times ET

Thursday, November 13 – Semifinals

Game 1: Nigeria 4-1 Gabon
Game 2: Cameroon 0-1 DR Congo

Sunday, November 16 – Final

Nigeria vs DR Congo — 2pm ET (Winner qualifies for FIFA’s inter-confederation playoff for 2026 World Cup)

African (CAF) 2026 World Cup Qualification — Standings/Table

Group A

1. **Egypt** – 26 points, +18 GD — QUALIFIED
2. **Burkina Faso** – 21 points, +15 GD — ELIMINATED
3. **Sierra Leone** – 15 points, +2 GD — ELIMINATED
4. **Guinea-Bissau** – 10 points, -2 GD — ELIMINATED
5. **Ethiopia** – 9 points, -5 GD — ELIMINATED
6. **Djibouti** – 1 point, -28 GD — ELIMINATED

Group B

1. **Senegal** – 24 points, +19 GD — QUALIFIED
2. **Democratic Republic of Congo** – 22 points, +9 GD — ADVANCED
3. **Sudan** – 13 points, +2 GD — ELIMINATED
4. **Togo** – 8 points, -5 GD — ELIMINATED
5. **Mauritania** – 7 points, -9 GD — ELIMINATED
6. **South Sudan** – 5 points, -16 GD — ELIMINATED

Group C

1. **South Africa** – 18 points, +6 GD — QUALIFIED
2. **Nigeria** – 17 points, +7 GD — ADVANCED
3. **Benin** – 17 points, +5 GD — ELIMINATED
4. **Lesotho** – 12 points, -3 GD — ELIMINATED
5. **Rwanda** – 11 points, -1 GD — ELIMINATED
6. **Zimbabwe** – 5 points, -7 GD — ELIMINATED

Group D

1. **Cape Verde** – 23 points, +8 GD — QUALIFIED
2. **Cameroon** – 19 points, +12 GD — ADVANCED
3. **Libya** – 16 points, +2 GD — ELIMINATED
4. **Angola** – 12 points, +1 GD — ELIMINATED
5. **Mauritius** – 6 points, -10 GD — ELIMINATED
6. **Eswatini** – 3 points, -13 GD — ELIMINATED

Group E

1. **Morocco** – 24 points, +20 GD — QUALIFIED
2. **Niger** – 15 points, +1 GD — ELIMINATED
3. **Tanzania** – 10 points, -1 GD — ELIMINATED
4. **Zambia** – 9 points, 0 GD — ELIMINATED
5. **Republic of Congo** – 1 point, -20 GD — ELIMINATED
6. **Eritrea** – withdrew

Group F

1. **Ivory Coast** – 26 points, +25 GD — QUALIFIED
2. **Gabon** – 25 points, +13 GD — ADVANCED
3. **Gambia** – 13 points, +9 GD — ELIMINATED
4. **Kenya** – 12 points, +4 GD — ELIMINATED
5. **Burundi** – 10 points, 0 GD — ELIMINATED
6. **Seychelles** – 0 points, -51 GD — ELIMINATED

Group G

1. **Algeria** – 25 points, +16 GD — QUALIFIED
2. **Uganda** – 18 points, +5 GD — ELIMINATED
3. **Mozambique** – 18 points, -3 GD — ELIMINATED
4. **Guinea** – 15 points, +3 GD — ELIMINATED
5. **Botswana** – 10 points, -4 GD — ELIMINATED
6. **Somalia** – 1 point, -17 GD — ELIMINATED

Group H

1. **Tunisia** – 28 points, +22 GD — QUALIFIED
2. **Namibia** – 15 points, +3 GD — ELIMINATED
3. **Liberia** – 15 points, +2 GD — ELIMINATED
4. **Malawi** – 13 points, +1 GD — ELIMINATED
5. **Equatorial Guinea** – 11 points, -7 GD — ELIMINATED
6. **Sao Tome and Principe** – 3 points, -21 GD — ELIMINATED

Group I

1. **Ghana** – 25 points, +17 GD — QUALIFIED
2. **Madagascar** – 19 points, +5 GD — ELIMINATED
3. **Mali** – 18 points, +11 GD — ELIMINATED
4. **Comoros** – 15 points, -1 GD — ELIMINATED
5. **Central African Republic** – 8 points, -13 GD — ELIMINATED
6. **Chad** – 1 point, -19 GD — ELIMINATED

African (CAF) 2026 World Cup Qualification — Ranking of Second-Place Teams (Four Advance to Second Round)

CAF has announced that matches against the sixth-place team in each group. Teams were informed in March 2025 but the information was not immediately made public.

1. **Gabon** – 19 points, +6 GD — ADVANCED
2. **Democratic Republic of Congo** – 16 points, +5 GD — ADVANCED
3. **Cameroon** – 15 points, +9 GD — ADVANCED
4. **Nigeria** – 15 points, +7 GD — ADVANCED
5. **Burkina Faso** – 15 points, +6 GD — ELIMINATED
6. **Niger** – 15 points, +1 GD — ELIMINATED
7. **Madagascar** – 13 points, 0 GD — ELIMINATED
8. **Uganda** – 12 points, +2 GD — ELIMINATED
9. **Namibia** – 9 points, -2 GD — ELIMINATED

* denotes qualification to at least the second round, still can win group and directly qualify for the World Cup
**
^ denotes nations that cannot win their group but can still qualify for the second round

Premier League Players in African (CAF) 2026 World Cup Qualification

The African qualifiers have served as a showcase for many players competing at the elite level in the Premier League. Notable names include:

• Algeria: Rayan Ait-Nouri (Manchester City)
• Angola: Manuel Benson (Burnley)
• Burkina Faso: Issa Kabore (Manchester City), Dango Ouattara (Brentford)
• Cameroon: Jackson Tchatchoua (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Andre Onana (Manchester United), Bryan Mbeumo (Brentford), Carlos Baleba (Brighton)
• Democratic Republic of Congo: Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United), Arthur Masuaku (Sunderland), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland)
• Egypt: Omar Marmoush (Manchester City), Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
• Ghana: Mohammed Kudus (West Ham), Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth)
• Ivory Coast: Willy Boly (Nottingham Forest), Ibrahim Sangare (Nottingham Forest), Simon Adingra (Sunderland), Amad Diallo (Manchester United), David Datro Fofana (Chelsea)
• Mali: Yves Bissouma (Tottenham Hotspur), Cheick Doucoure (Crystal Palace)
• Morocco: Amine Adli (Bournemouth), Noussair Mazraoui (Manchester United)
• Nigeria: Samuel Chukwueze (Fulham), Alex Iwobi (Fulham), Frank Onyeka (Brentford)
• Senegal: Idrissa Gana Gueye (Everton), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur), Ismaila Sarr (Crystal Palace)
• South Africa: Lyle Foster (Burnley)
• Tunisia: Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley)
• Zimbabwe: Tawanda Chirewa (Wolves), Marley Tavaziva (Brentford)

African (CAF) World Cup Qualification Schedule — First Round Results

Matchday 1

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Namibia
Rwanda 0-0 Zimbabwe
DR Congo 2-0 Mauritania
Ethiopia 0-0 Sierra Leone

Thursday, November 16, 2023
Burundi 3-2 Gambia
Botswana 2-3 Mozambique
Nigeria 1-1 Lesotho
Sudan 1-1 Togo
Gabon 2-1 Kenya
Algeria 3-1 Somalia
Egypt 6-0 Djibouti
Morocco vs Eritrea — canceled
Cape Verde 0-0 Angola

Friday, November 17, 2023
Eswatini 0-1 Libya
Comoros 4-2 Central African Republic
Guinea 2-1 Uganda
Liberia 0-1 Malawi
Zambia 4-2 Republic of Congo
Ghana 1-0 Madagascar
Mali 3-1 Chad
Burkina Faso 1-1 Guinea-Bissau
Tunisia 4-0 Sao Tome and Principe
Ivory Coast 9-0 Seychelles
Cameroon 3-0 Mauritius

Saturday, November 18, 2023
South Africa 2-1 Benin
Niger 0-1 Tanzania
Senegal 4-0 South Sudan