Who Can Still Secure Africa’s Spots at the 2026 World Cup?

Overview of the Qualification Battle

Seven slots for the 2026 FIFA World Cup are still available as the African qualification series approaches its end. Matchdays are scheduled from Wednesday, October 8 to Tuesday, October 14. Currently, only the winners of the nine groups are guaranteed a place in the expanded tournament featuring 48 teams. Morocco, who reached the semi-finals in Qatar 2022, along with Tunisia, have already secured their spots.

Cape Verde stands just one victory away from making its World Cup debut, while Egypt and Algeria are aware that three points from their forthcoming two matches will ensure they top their respective groups. The four highest-ranked teams finishing second across the nine groups will progress to playoffs next month, with victors having another opportunity to qualify via an intercontinental route.

With notable teams like Cameroon and Nigeria at risk of elimination, let’s examine which nations still have aspirations for the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Group A – The Pharaohs on the Edge of Qualification

Egypt holds a five-point lead over Burkina Faso and is expected to qualify with a win against Djibouti on Wednesday (16:00 GMT). Djibouti is at the bottom of the group with just one point from eight matches thus far. Should Egypt suffer an unexpected defeat, they will host Guinea-Bissau on Sunday.

Burkina Faso, favored to clinch second place, will face Sierra Leone away before hosting Ethiopia, likely requiring maximum points to grasp a chance at the playoffs. Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau still hold faint hopes of securing second.

Possible Group Winners: Egypt, Burkina Faso

Group B – Senegal in Command

Senegal took control of Group B by overcoming a 2-0 deficit to win against DR Congo last month, now leading by one point over the Leopards. The Teranga Lions will play against bottom-placed South Sudan on Friday and then welcome Mauritania, knowing that two victories will secure their third consecutive World Cup qualification.

DR Congo needs to rely on Senegal stumbling while they aim to collect maximum points against Togo and Sudan at home. Sudan can only top the group by winning both matches and hoping for two Senegal losses, whereas earning second place remains a possibility if they triumph over DR Congo.

Possible Group Winners: Senegal, DR Congo, Sudan

Group C – Benin Takes the Lead After South Africa’s Sanction

The competition for the top position is now open after FIFA decided that South Africa had played ineligible player Teboho Mokoena against Lesotho. A previous 2-0 victory for Bafana Bafana has been altered to a 3-0 forfeit, erasing their former lead.

Benin has now surged ahead based on goal difference, leading South Africa by a single goal, while Nigeria and Rwanda trail by three points but still have chances to qualify. Benin’s last games include matches against Rwanda and Nigeria, with South Africa visiting Zimbabwe and hosting Rwanda to conclude their campaign.

Possible Group Winners: Benin, South Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda, Lesotho

Group D – Blue Sharks Set to Make History

Cape Verde’s surprising 1-0 victory over Cameroon last month has propelled them four points ahead in the standings. The Blue Sharks can secure their historic first World Cup qualification by winning either their away game against Libya on Wednesday (13:00 GMT) or the home match against Eswatini next Monday.

Cameroon has a chance to qualify on goal difference, provided they secure victories against Mauritius and Angola while Cape Verde draws both matches. Meanwhile, Libya, a point behind Cameroon, could also top the group with favorable results.

Possible Group Winners: Cape Verde, Cameroon, Libya

Group E – The Quest for Second Place

Morocco has already qualified with two matches still remaining, and winning against Congo-Brazzaville would give the Atlas Lions a perfect record during this campaign. Tanzania, Niger, and Zambia are locked in a tight battle for the second spot, but qualifying for the playoffs looks challenging.

Group Winners: Morocco (qualified)

Group F – Elephants Just Ahead of Panthers

Ivory Coast holds a slender lead over Gabon after a recent 0-0 draw in Franceville last month. The Elephants are set to play against Seychelles on Friday (13:00 GMT) and will face Kenya next Tuesday, while Gabon has an away fixture against The Gambia followed by a home match against Burundi.

If Gabon wins both encounters, and cannot surpass Ivory Coast, they still look likely to reach the playoffs.

Possible Group Winners: Ivory Coast, Gabon

Group G – Algeria on the Brink of Qualification

Algeria, enjoying a four-point cushion, needs only one win from their remaining matches against out-of-contention Somalia and second-placed Uganda to secure top position. Uganda is narrowly ahead of Mozambique for the second place position in the group.

Possible Group Winners: Algeria, Uganda, Mozambique

Group H – Namibia’s Goal to Secure Second Place

Tunisia has confirmed its first-place status with two matches to spare, while Namibia is in a strong position to claim second place. The Brave Warriors are presently four points ahead of Liberia and five points clear of Malawi and Equatorial Guinea.

Namibia will travel to Liberia on Thursday and then face Tunisia, while Liberia has a final round meeting with Equatorial Guinea next Monday.

Group Winners: Tunisia (qualified)

Group I – Black Stars in Command

Three teams are competing for the automatic qualification spot, with Ghana leading Madagascar by three points and Comoros just behind. Ghana visits the Central African Republic on Wednesday (16:00 GMT), while Comoros plays host to Madagascar on the same day. A victory for Ghana would automatically secure their place, especially if Madagascar fails to earn three points.

Ghana will conclude their campaign with a crucial home match against Comoros, while Madagascar is set to travel to Mali for their last match.

Possible Group Winners: Ghana, Madagascar, Comoros

The Playoff Scenario

The four best second-placed teams from the nine groups will head into African playoffs in November. Gabon, Madagascar, DR Congo, and Burkina Faso currently have the top records after eight games.

FIFA’s integrity protocols ensure adjustments may be made to the standings to exclude results against the sixth-placed finisher in each group due to Eritrea’s withdrawal from Group E just before the campaign began.

While the details for the playoff format remain unclear, the ultimate winner will advance to intercontinental qualifiers scheduled for March next year.