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 played154
Goals scored379 (2.46 per match)
Attendance1,183,698 (7,686 per match)
Top scorer(s) Flag of Gabon.svg Denis Bouanga (8 goals)
← 2022
2030 →
All statistics correct as of 3 September 2025.

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, 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 35–8 June 2024
Matchday 49–11 June 2024
Matchday 519–22 March 2025
Matchday 623–25 March 2025
Matchday 73–6 September 2025
Matchday 87–9 September 2025
Matchday 96–14 October 2025
Matchday 10
Second round Semi-finals10–18 November 2025
Final

First round

Teams were drawn into nine groups of six teams to 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 Sierra Leone.svg Flag of Ethiopia.svg Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg Flag of Djibouti.svg
1Flag of Egypt.svg  Egypt 6510142+1216 2026 FIFA World Cup — 2–1 1–0 5 Sep Oct 6–0
2Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 6321137+611Possible second round 9 Sep — 2–2 Oct 1–1 4–1
3Flag of Sierra Leone.svg  Sierra Leone 62227708 0–2 Oct — 9 Sep 3–1 2–1
4Flag of Ethiopia.svg  Ethiopia 61327706 0–2 0–3 0–0 — Oct 6–1
5Flag of Guinea-Bissau.svg  Guinea-Bissau 613257−26 1–1 1–2 4 Sep 0–0 — 8 Sep
6Flag of Djibouti.svg  Djibouti (Z)6015420−161 Oct 5 Sep Oct 1–1 0–1 —
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2025. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Z) Cannot qualify directly; can still advance to the second round

Group B

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg Flag of Senegal.svg Flag of Sudan.svg Flag of Togo (3-2).svg Flag of South Sudan.svg Flag of Mauritania.svg
1Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  DR Congo 641172+513 2026 FIFA World Cup — 9 Sep Oct 1–0 1–0 2–0
2Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 633081+712Possible second round 1–1 — 5 Sep 2–0 4–0 Oct
3Flag of Sudan.svg  Sudan 633082+612 1–0 0–0 — 1–1 1–1 Oct
4Flag of Togo (3-2).svg  Togo 604247−34 Oct 0–0 9 Sep — 1–1 2–2
5Flag of South Sudan.svg  South Sudan 6033210−83 5 Sep Oct 0–3 Oct — 0–0
6Flag of Mauritania.svg  Mauritania (Z)602429−72 0–2 0–1 0–2 5 Sep 9 Sep —
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2025. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Z) Cannot qualify directly; can still advance to the second round

Group C

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of South Africa.svg Flag of Rwanda.svg Flag of Benin.svg Flag of Nigeria.svg Flag of Lesotho.svg Flag of Zimbabwe.svg
1Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 6411105+513 2026 FIFA World Cup — Oct 2–1 9 Sep 2–0 3–1
2Flag of Rwanda.svg  Rwanda 62224408Possible second round 2–0 — Oct 0–2 1–1 0–0
3Flag of Benin.svg  Benin 622267−18 0–2 1–0 — 2–1 9 Sep 5 Sep
4Flag of Nigeria.svg  Nigeria 614176+17 1–1 6 Sep Oct — 1–1 1–1
5Flag of Lesotho.svg  Lesotho 613245−16 5 Sep 0–1 0–0 Oct — Oct
6Flag of Zimbabwe.svg  Zimbabwe 604259−44 Oct 9 Sep 2–2 1–1 0–2 —
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2025. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group D

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Cape Verde.svg Flag of Cameroon.svg Flag of Libya.svg Flag of Angola.svg Flag of Mauritius.svg Flag of Eswatini.svg
1Flag of Cape Verde.svg  Cape Verde 641175+213 2026 FIFA World Cup — 9 Sep 1–0 0–0 1–0 Oct
2Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon 6330124+812Possible second round 4–1 — 3–1 Oct 3–0 4 Sep
3Flag of Libya.svg  Libya 622267−18 Oct 1–1 — 1–1 2–1 8 Sep
4Flag of Angola.svg  Angola 61414407 1–2 1–1 4 Sep — 9 Sep 1–0
5Flag of Mauritius.svg  Mauritius 6123610−45 4 Sep Oct Oct 0–0 — 2–1
6Flag of Eswatini.svg  Eswatini 602449−52 0–2 0–0 0–1 Oct 3–3 —
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2025. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

Group E

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Morocco.svg Flag of Tanzania.svg Flag of Zambia.svg Flag of Niger.svg Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg Flag of Eritrea.svg
1Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 5500142+1215 2026 FIFA World Cup — 2–0 2–1 5 Sep Oct Canc.
2Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 530254+19Possible second round 0–2 — Oct 9 Sep 3–0 [a] Canc.
3Flag of Zambia.svg  Zambia 520397+26 8 Sep 0–1 — Oct 4–2 Canc.
4Flag of Niger.svg  Niger 420264+26 1–2 0–1 2–1 — Oct Canc.
5Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  Congo [a] (E)5005219−170 0–6 5 Sep 0–3 [a] 0–3 [b] — Canc.
6Flag of Eritrea.svg  Eritrea [c] 00000000Withdrew Canc. Canc. Canc. Canc. Canc. —
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2025. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated
Notes:
  1. 1 2 3 Congo were suspended on 6 February 2025 due to government interference in Congolese Football Federation operations. [10] [11] No announcement regarding their status was immediately available, and CAF initially cancelled their remaining matches. [12] However, Tanzania and Zambia were later awarded 3–0 victories by forfeit. [13] The suspension was lifted by FIFA on 14 May 2025. [14]
  2. ↑ Niger were awarded a 3–0 victory by forfeit after Congo refused to travel to DR Congo for their match after their regular stadium was deemed to not meet hosting requirements. [15]
  3. ↑ Eritrea withdrew from qualification prior to playing any matches due to concerns that players would seek political asylum if allowed to travel overseas. [6] [16] [17]

Group F

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Gabon.svg Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg Flag of Burundi.svg Flag of Kenya.svg Flag of The Gambia.svg Flag of Seychelles.svg
1Flag of Gabon.svg  Gabon 7601166+1018 2026 FIFA World Cup — 9 Sep Oct 2–1 3–2 3–0
2Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 6510140+1416Possible second round 1–0 — 5 Sep Oct 1–0 9–0
3Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi 6312137+610 1–2 0–1 — Oct 3–2 5–0
4Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya (Z)6132118+36 1–2 0–0 1–1 — 5 Sep 9 Sep
5Flag of The Gambia.svg  Gambia (Z)61141213−14 Oct 0–2 9 Sep 3–3 — 5–1
6Flag of Seychelles.svg  Seychelles (E)7007234−320 0–4 Oct 1–3 0–5 Oct —
Updated to match(es) played on 3 September 2025. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated; (Z) Cannot qualify directly; can still advance to the second round

Group G

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Algeria.svg Flag of Mozambique.svg Flag of Botswana.svg Flag of Uganda.svg Flag of Guinea.svg Flag of Somalia.svg
1Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 6501166+1015 2026 FIFA World Cup — 5–1 4 Sep Oct 1–2 3–1
2Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 64021011−112Possible second round 0–2 — 8 Sep 3–1 Oct 2–1
3Flag of Botswana.svg  Botswana 630398+19 1–3 2–3 — Oct 1–0 2–0
4Flag of Uganda.svg  Uganda 630367−19 1–2 5 Sep 1–0 — 1–0 8 Sep
5Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea 621345−17 8 Sep 0–1 Oct 2–1 — 0–0
6Flag of Somalia.svg  Somalia (Z)6015311−81 Oct Oct 1–3 0–1 5 Sep —
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2025. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(Z) Cannot qualify directly; can still advance to the second round

Group H

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Tunisia.svg Flag of Namibia.svg Flag of Liberia.svg Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg Flag of Malawi.svg Flag of Sao Tome and Principe.svg
1Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 651090+916 2026 FIFA World Cup — Oct 4 Sep 1–0 2–0 4–0
2Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 633082+612Possible second round 0–0 — 1–1 1–1 5 Sep 9 Sep
3Flag of Liberia.svg  Liberia 631274+310 0–1 Oct — 3–0 [a] 0–1 2–1
4Flag of Equatorial Guinea.svg  Equatorial Guinea 621348−47 8 Sep 0–3 [a] Oct — 1–0 2–0
5Flag of Malawi.svg  Malawi 620446−26 0–1 0–1 8 Sep Oct — 3–1
6Flag of Sao Tome and Principe.svg  São Tomé and Príncipe (E)6006214−120 Oct 0–2 0–1 4 Sep Oct —
Updated to match(es) played on 24 March 2025. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated
Notes:
  1. 1 2 Equatorial Guinea forfeited two matches for fielding an ineligible player, Emilio Nsue. [18] The original results were Equatorial Guinea 1–0 Namibia and Liberia 0–1 Equatorial Guinea.

Group I

PosTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification Flag of Ghana.svg Flag of the Comoros.svg Flag of Madagascar.svg Flag of Mali.svg Flag of the Central African Republic.svg Flag of Chad.svg
1Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana 6501155+1015 2026 FIFA World Cup — Oct 1–0 8 Sep 4–3 5–0
2Flag of the Comoros.svg  Comoros 640297+212Possible second round 1–0 — Oct 0–3 4–2 1–0
3Flag of Madagascar.svg  Madagascar 631296+310 0–3 2–1 — 0–0 4 Sep 8 Sep
4Flag of Mali.svg  Mali 623184+49 1–2 4 Sep Oct — 1–1 3–1
5Flag of the Central African Republic.svg  Central African Republic 6123813−55 Oct 7 Sep 1–4 0–0 — 1–0
6Flag of Chad.svg  Chad (E)6006115−140 4 Sep 0–2 0–3 Oct Oct —
Updated to match(es) played on 25 March 2025. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated

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 since not all groups have the same number of teams.

PosGrpTeam
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsQualification
1 F Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 6510140+1416 Second round
2 D Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon 6330124+812
3 B Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal 633081+712
4 H Flag of Namibia.svg  Namibia 633082+612
5 I Flag of the Comoros.svg  Comoros 640297+212
6 G Flag of Mozambique.svg  Mozambique 64021011−112
7 A Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso 6321137+611
8 E Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania 530254+19
9 C Flag of Rwanda.svg  Rwanda 62224408
Updated to match(es) played on 3 September 2025. Source: FIFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers

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 matches 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. [19]

Qualified teams

.mw-parser-output .legend{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .legend-color{display:inline-block;min-width:1.25em;height:1.25em;line-height:1.25;margin:1px 0;text-align:center;border:1px solid black;background-color:transparent;color:black}.mw-parser-output .legend-text{} Can qualify for the World Cup Failed to qualify Withdrew Not a CAF member 2026 World Cup CAF qualification.svg
  Can qualify for the World Cup
  Failed to qualify
  Withdrew
  Not a CAF member

The following teams from CAF qualified for the final tournament.

TeamQualified asQualified onPrevious appearances in FIFA World Cup [a]
TBD Group A winners2025
TBD Group B winners2025
TBD Group C winners2025
TBD Group D winners2025
TBD Group E winners2025
TBD Group F winners2025
TBD Group G winners2025
TBD Group H winners2025
TBD Group I winners2025

Notes

  1. ↑ Italic indicates hosts for that year.

Top goalscorers

There have been 379 goals scored in 154 matches, for an average of 2.46 goals per match (as of 3 September 2025).

8 goals

6 goals

5 goals

4 goals

3 goals

Below are full goalscorer lists for each group:

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. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. 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. ↑ "Suspension of the Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT) from 6 February 2025 until further notice" (PDF). FIFA Circular. No. 1922. 6 February 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  11. ↑ "FIFA suspends Congo Republic and Pakistan". Reuters. 7 February 2025. Retrieved 8 February 2025.
  12. ↑ "Schedule & Results". CAFonline.com. CAF . Retrieved 16 March 2025.
  13. ↑ "Scores & Fixtures". FIFA.
  14. ↑ "Lifting of the suspension of the Congolese Football Association (FECOFOOT)" (PDF). FIFA Circular. No. 1933. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  15. ↑ "FIFA awards win to Niger after Congo no-show in World Cup qualifier". The Straits Times. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
  16. ↑ Aarons, Ed; Cizmic, Alex (14 November 2023). "Eritrea withdrew from 2026 World Cup qualifying 'over fears players will flee'". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  17. ↑ "Eritrea withdraw from FIFA World Cup qualifiers". FIFA. Retrieved 10 November 2023.
  18. ↑ Dunbar, Graham (24 May 2024). "Equatorial Guinea must default wins in World Cup qualifying over same ineligible player as in 2013". apnews.com. Associated Press. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
  19. ↑ "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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