2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)

Last updated

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)
Tournament details
Dates15 November 2023 – 18 November 2025
Teams53 (from 1 confederation)
Tournament statistics
Matches played52
Goals scored122 (2.35 per match)
Attendance323,824 (6,227 per match)
Top scorer(s) Flag of Egypt.svg Mohamed Salah
(4 goals)
← 2022
2030 →
All statistics correct as of 21 November 2023.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF) is the African section of the qualification tournament for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico. A total of nine slots in the final tournament and one inter-confederation play-off slot are reserved for CAF teams. [1]

Contents

Format

Due to nine CAF teams now directly qualifying instead of five, the CAF Executive Committee announced a new qualification format on 19 May 2023. Teams were drawn into nine groups of six teams. The winner of each group will directly qualify to the World Cup, while the four best group runners-up will participate in play-offs to determine which team will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs. [2] [3]

Schedule

2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
RoundMatchdayDates
First round Matchday 115–18 November 2023
Matchday 219–21 November 2023
Matchday 33–11 June 2024
Matchday 4
Matchday 517–25 March 2025
Matchday 6
Matchday 71–9 September 2025
Matchday 8
Matchday 96–14 October 2025
Matchday 10
Second round Semi-finals10–18 November 2025
Final

First round

Teams have been drawn into nine groups of six teams and will play home-and-away round robin matches from November 2023 to October 2025. The winners of each group will qualify directly to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the four best group runners-up will advance to a play-off to determine which team will advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.

Draw

The draw was held on 13 July 2023 at 15:00 GMT (UTC±0) in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. [4] [5] All 54 FIFA-affiliated football associations from CAF entered qualification, however Eritrea withdrew before matches began. [6] [7]

The draw pots were announced on 30 June (numbers in parentheses indicate FIFA Men's World Ranking at the time of the draw): [8] [9]

CAF qualification first round draw pots
Pot 1Pot 2Pot 3
Pot 4Pot 5Pot 6

Groups

Group A

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Egypt.svg Flag of Burkina Faso.svg Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg Flag of Sierra Leone.svg Flag of Ethiopia.svg Flag of Djibouti.svg
1Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt 220080+86 2026 FIFA World Cup — Jun Oct '25 Mar '25 Sep '25 6–0
2Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 211041+34Possible play-off stage Sep '25 — 1–1 Jun Oct '25 Mar '25
3Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau 211021+14 Jun Mar '25 — Sep '25 Jun Sep '25
4Flag of Sierra Leone.svg  Sierra Leone 201102−21 0–2 Oct '25 Mar '25 — Sep '25 Jun
5Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 201103−31 Mar '25 0–3 Oct '25 0–0 — Mar '25
6Flag of Djibouti.svg  Djibouti 200207−70 Oct '25 Sep '25 0–1 Oct '25 Jun —
Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group B

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Senegal.svg Flag of Sudan.svg Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg Flag of Togo.svg Flag of Mauritania.svg Flag of South Sudan.svg
1Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 211040+44 2026 FIFA World Cup — Sep '25 Jun Mar '25 Oct '25 4–0
2Flag of Sudan.svg  Sudan 211021+14Possible play-off stage Mar '25 — 1–0 1–1 Oct '25 Mar '25
3Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  DR Congo 210121+13 Sep '25 Oct '25 — Jun 2–0 Mar '25
4Flag of Togo.svg  Togo 20201102 0–0 Sep '25 Oct '25 — Mar '25 Jun
5Flag of Mauritania.svg  Mauritania 201102−21 Jun Jun Mar '25 Sep '25 — Sep '25
6Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan 201104−41 Oct '25 Jun Sep '25 Oct '25 0–0 —
Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group C

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Rwanda.svg Flag of South Africa.svg Flag of Nigeria.svg Flag of Lesotho.svg Flag of Zimbabwe.svg Flag of Benin.svg
1Flag of Rwanda.svg  Rwanda 211020+24 2026 FIFA World Cup — 2–0 Mar '25 Mar '25 0–0 Oct '25
2Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 210123−13Possible play-off stage Oct '25 — Sep '25 Mar '25 Jun 2–1
3Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 20202202 Sep '25 Jun — 1–1 Mar '25 Oct '25
4Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho 20201102 Jun Sep '25 Oct '25 — Oct '25 0–0
5Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 20201102 Sep '25 Oct '25 1–1 Jun — Mar '25
6Flag of Benin.svg  Benin 201112−11 Jun Mar '25 Jun Sep '25 Sep '25 —
Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group D

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Cameroon.svg Flag of Cape Verde.svg Flag of Libya.svg Flag of Angola.svg Flag of Mauritius.svg Flag of Eswatini.svg
1Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon 211041+34 2026 FIFA World Cup — Jun Mar '25 Oct '25 3–0 Sep '25
2Flag of Cape Verde.svg  Cape Verde 211020+24Possible play-off stage Sep '25 — Jun 0–0 Mar '25 Oct '25
3Flag of Libya.svg  Libya 211021+14 1–1 Oct '25 — Mar '25 Jun Sep '25
4Flag of Angola.svg  Angola 20200002 Jun Mar '25 Sep '25 — Sep '25 Jun
5Flag of Mauritius.svg  Mauritius 201103−31 Oct '25 Sep '25 Oct '25 0–0 — Jun
6Flag of Eswatini.svg  Eswatini 200203−30 Mar '25 0–2 0–1 Oct '25 Mar '25 —
Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group E

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Morocco.svg Flag of Zambia.svg Flag of Niger.svg Flag of Tanzania.svg Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg Flag of Eritrea.svg
1Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 110020+23 2026 FIFA World Cup — Jun Sep '25 Mar '25 Oct '25 Canc.
2Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 210154+13Possible play-off stage Sep '25 — Oct '25 Jun 4–2 Canc.
3Flag of Niger.svg  Niger 21012203 Mar '25 2–1 — 0–1 Oct '25 Canc.
4Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 210112−13 0–2 Oct '25 Sep '25 — Mar '25 Canc.
5Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  Congo 100124−20 Jun Mar '25 Jun Sep '25 — Canc.
6Flag of Eritrea.svg  Eritrea [lower-alpha 1] 00000000Withdrew Canc. Canc. Canc. Canc. Canc. —
Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
Notes:
  1. ↑ Eritrea withdrew before the first matches were played. [6]

Group F

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg Flag of Gabon.svg Flag of Kenya.svg Flag of Burundi.svg Flag of The Gambia.svg Flag of Seychelles.svg
1Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 2200110+116 2026 FIFA World Cup — Jun Oct '25 Sep '25 Mar '25 9–0
2Flag of Gabon.svg  Gabon 220042+26Possible play-off stage Sep '25 — 2–1 Oct '25 Jun Mar '25
3Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 210162+43 Jun Mar '25 — Jun Sep '25 Sep '25
4Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi 21014403 Mar '25 1–2 Oct '25 — 3–2 Mar '25
5Flag of The Gambia.svg  Gambia 200225−30 0–2 Oct '25 Mar '25 Sep '25 — Jun
6Flag of Seychelles.svg  Seychelles 2002014−140 Oct '25 Sep '25 0–5 Jun Oct '25 —
Updated to match(es) played on 20 November 2023. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group G

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Algeria.svg Flag of Botswana.svg Flag of Guinea.svg Flag of Uganda.svg Flag of Mozambique.svg Flag of Somalia.svg
1Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 220051+46 2026 FIFA World Cup — Sep '25 Jun Oct '25 Mar '25 3–1
2Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 21013303Possible play-off stage Mar '25 — 1–0 Oct '25 2–3 Mar '25
3Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 21012203 Sep '25 Oct '25 — 2–1 Jun Mar '25
4Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 21012203 Jun Jun Mar '25 — Sep '25 Sep '25
5Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 210134−13 0–2 Sep '25 Oct '25 Mar '25 — Jun
6Flag of Somalia.svg  Somalia 200214−30 Oct '25 Jun Sep '25 0–1 Oct '25 —
Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group H

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Tunisia.svg Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg Flag of Namibia.svg Flag of Malawi.svg Flag of Liberia.svg Flag of Sao Tome and Principe.svg
1Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 220050+56 2026 FIFA World Cup — Jun Oct '25 Mar '25 Sep '25 4–0
2Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea 220020+26Possible play-off stage Sep '25 — 1–0 Jun Oct '25 Mar '25
3Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 210121+13 Jun Mar '25 — Sep '25 Jun Sep '25
4Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi 21011103 0–1 Oct '25 Mar '25 — Sep '25 Jun
5Flag of Liberia.svg  Liberia 200202−20 Mar '25 0–1 Oct '25 0–1 — Mar '25
6Flag of Sao Tome and Principe.svg  São Tomé and Príncipe 200206−60 Oct '25 Sep '25 0–2 Oct '25 Jun —
Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group I

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of the Comoros.svg Flag of Mali.svg Flag of Madagascar.svg Flag of Ghana.svg Flag of the Central African Republic.svg Flag of Chad.svg
1Flag of the Comoros.svg  Comoros 220052+36 2026 FIFA World Cup — Mar '25 Oct '25 1–0 4–2 Mar '25
2Flag of Mali.svg  Mali 211042+24Possible play-off stage Sep '25 — Oct '25 Jun 1–1 3–1
3Flag of Madagascar.svg  Madagascar 210131+23 Jun Jun — Mar '25 Sep '25 Sep '25
4Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 21011103 Oct '25 Sep '25 1–0 — Jun Mar '25
5Flag of the Central African Republic.svg  Central African Republic 201135−21 Sep '25 Mar '25 Mar '25 Oct '25 — Jun
6Flag of Chad.svg  Chad 200216−50 Jun Oct '25 0–3 Sep '25 Oct '25 —
Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Ranking of runners-up

Neither CAF nor FIFA have made an official announcement on how Eritrea's withdrawal will affect the rankings of the group runners-up.

PosGrpTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 F Flag of Gabon.svg  Gabon 220042+26 Play-off stage
2 H Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea 220020+26
3 A Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 211041+34
4 I Flag of Mali.svg  Mali 211042+24
5 D Flag of Cape Verde.svg  Cape Verde 211020+24
6 B Flag of Sudan.svg  Sudan 211021+14
7 E Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 210154+13
8 G Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 21013303
9 C Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 210123−13
Updated to match(es) played on 21 November 2023. Source: FIFA

Second round

The four best group runners-up will be drawn into play-offs to determine the sole CAF representative at the inter-confederation play-offs. A total of three games will be played.

Bracket

 
Semi-finalsFinal
 
      
 
November 2025 (2025-11)
 
 
 
 
November 2025 (2025-11)
 
 
 
 
 
November 2025 (2025-11)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Semi-finals

v
v

Final

v

Inter-confederation play-offs

The play-off winner will join one team each from AFC, CONMEBOL and OFC and two from CONCACAF in the inter-confederation play-offs. The teams will be ranked according to the FIFA Men's World Ranking, with the four lowest-ranked teams playing in two single-elimination matches. The winners will meet the two highest-ranked teams in another set of single-elimination matches, with the winners of these matches qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. [10]

Top goalscorers

There have been 122 goals scored in 52 matches, for an average of 2.35 goals per match (as of 21 November 2023).

4 goals

3 goals

2 goals

Below are full goalscorer lists for each group:

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group A is a CAF qualifying group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The group contains Egypt, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia and Djibouti.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group B is a CAF qualifying group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The group contains Senegal, DR Congo, Mauritania, Togo, Sudan and South Sudan.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group C is a CAF qualifying group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The group contains Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Lesotho.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group E is a CAF qualifying group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The group contains Morocco, Zambia, Congo, Tanzania and Niger. Eritrea withdrew before the first matches were played.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group D is a CAF qualifying group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The group contains Cameroon, Cape Verde, Angola, Libya, Eswatini and Mauritius.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group F is a CAF qualifying group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The group contains Ivory Coast, Gabon, Kenya, Gambia, Burundi and Seychelles.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group G is a CAF qualifying group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The group contains Algeria, Guinea, Uganda, Mozambique, Botswana and Somalia.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group H is a CAF qualifying group for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The group contains Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea, Namibia, Malawi, Liberia and São Tomé and Príncipe.

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References

  1. ↑ "Current allocation of FIFA World Cup confederation slots maintained". FIFA. 30 May 2015. Archived from the original on 30 May 2015.
  2. ↑ "CAF Executive Committee approves FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers calendar and announces TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations Côte d'Ivoire 2023 Final Draw date". cafonline. CAF. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  3. ↑ "CAF reveals new format for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers". cafonline. CAF. 19 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  4. ↑ Olsson, Andrew (4 July 2023). "Learn all about 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying in the CAF region and the seeds". Pan-Africa Football. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  5. ↑ "FIFA World Cup 2026 African Qualifiers Official Draw on 13 July". cafonline. CAF. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  6. 1 2 "Eritrea Pull Out Of 2026 World Cup Qualifier". Dehai News. Dehai News. Retrieved 9 November 2023.
  7. ↑ "Statement on FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary competition". CAF. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  8. ↑ Inyang, Ifreke (30 June 2023). "FIFA puts Super Eagles in Pot 1 as race to 2026 World Cup begins". dailypost.ng. Daily Post. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  9. ↑ "FIFA World Cup 2026: African preliminary qualifiers draw officially conducted". CAF. 13 July 2023. Retrieved 13 July 2023.
  10. ↑ "Bureau of the Council recommends slot allocation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup". FIFA. 30 March 2017. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
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