Africa’s road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup isn’t over yet. Nine countries have booked their place at global showpiece after finishing first in their respective qualifying Groups.
While Four teams including Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and D.R Congo will battle for one final continental play-off spot before facing the world for a ticket to North America.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) play-offs features the four best group runners-up from the qualifiers.
These teams will meet in Morocco, with the semi-finals set for November 13 and the final on November 16.
The matchups are determined using the latest FIFA rankings. Higher-ranked teams avoid facing each other in the semifinals.
Therefore the pairings are as follows: Nigeria will face Gabon, while Cameroon take on DR Congo.
The CAF play-off winner won’t qualify directly but advances to the intercontinental play-offs, a global decider involving six teams.
One each from Africa (CAF), Asia (AFC), South America (CONMEBOL), and Oceania (OFC), plus two from North and Central America (CONCACAF).
The intercontinental showdown takes place in March 2026.
The four lowest-ranked teams will play first, and the winners will then challenge the two highest-ranked sides for the final two World Cup slots.
For Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and Congo, the mission is clear: win in Morocco, survive the intercontinental play-offs, and claim one of the last tickets to the 2026 World Cup.
