African Teams Compete for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualification
Seven spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are available as the African qualifying group stage reaches its conclusion.
Between October 8 and October 14, matches will be played, with only the nine group winners guaranteed a place in the expanded 48-team tournament. Morocco, semi-finalists in Qatar 2022, and Tunisia have already secured their spots.
Cape Verde is just one victory away from achieving its first-ever World Cup appearance, while Egypt and Algeria know that securing three points in their next two matches will ensure they finish at the top of their respective groups.
The four best-ranked second-placed teams from across the nine groups will advance to play-offs next month, with the winners earning a chance to qualify through an intercontinental route.
With prominent teams like Cameroon and Nigeria at risk of missing out, BBC Sport Africa analyzes the teams still in contention for qualification to the tournament in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Group A - Pharaohs on the Brink of Qualification
Egypt holds a five-point lead over Burkina Faso and is expected to secure qualification with a victory against Djibouti on Wednesday (16:00 GMT). Djibouti is at the bottom of the group, having earned only one point from eight matches this campaign.
If Egypt suffers an unexpected defeat, they will host Guinea-Bissau on Sunday.
Burkina Faso, the favorites to secure second place, will face Sierra Leone away before hosting Ethiopia, needing maximum points to have a chance at the play-offs.
Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau also have slim hopes of claiming second place.
Possible group winners: Egypt, Burkina Faso
Group B - Senegal in the Driver's Seat
Senegal took control of Group B after coming from behind to win 3-2 against DR Congo last month, now leading the Leopards by one point.
The Teranga Lions will travel to South Sudan, currently at the bottom of the group, on Friday and will host Mauritania, knowing that two victories will secure their third consecutive World Cup qualification.
DR Congo must hope for Senegal to falter while aiming to secure maximum points in their matches against Togo and Sudan.
Sudan must win both of their remaining games and hope Senegal loses twice to have a chance at topping the group, though second place remains a possibility if they defeat DR Congo.
Possible group winners: Senegal, DR Congo, Sudan
Group C - Advantage Benin Following South Africa's Sanction
The battle for the top spot is now open after FIFA ruled that South Africa fielded an ineligible player, Teboho Mokoena, against Lesotho. A previous 2-0 win for South Africa has been changed to a 3-0 forfeit, eliminating their three-point lead.
Benin now leads the group on goal difference, just ahead of South Africa, while Nigeria and Rwanda trail by three points but still have a chance to qualify.
Benin will conclude their campaign with matches against Rwanda and Nigeria, while South Africa travels to Zimbabwe and hosts Rwanda.
Three-time continental champions Nigeria must win both of their remaining matches, but even that may not guarantee them a place among the best second-placed teams.
Possible group winners: Benin, South Africa, Nigeria, Rwanda, Lesotho
Group D - Blue Sharks Poised for Historic Qualification
Cape Verde's surprising 1-0 victory over Cameroon last month has placed them four points clear in the standings.
The Blue Sharks need just one win from their upcoming matches against Libya on Wednesday (13:00 GMT) or Eswatini at home next Monday to secure a historic first World Cup qualification for a nation with a population of fewer than 530,000.
Cameroon could qualify on goal difference if they defeat Mauritius away and Angola at home while Cape Verde draws both games. Alternatively, Cameroon could qualify with four points if Cape Verde loses both matches.
Libya, just one point behind Cameroon, could also finish at the top if results favor them.
Possible group winners: Cape Verde, Cameroon, Libya
Group E - Battle for Second Place
Morocco has already qualified with two games remaining and a victory over Congo-Brazzaville would give the Atlas Lions a perfect record in the qualifiers.
Tanzania, Niger, and Zambia are separated by four points, all vying for the second spot, but reaching the play-offs may prove challenging.
Group winners: Morocco (qualified)
Group F - Elephants Narrowly Ahead of Panthers
Ivory Coast holds a slim one-point lead over Gabon after a goalless draw in Franceville last month.
The Elephants will visit the Seychelles on Friday (13:00 GMT) and then host Kenya next Tuesday.
Gabon faces an away match against The Gambia followed by a home game against Burundi. If Gabon wins both matches, they may still secure a spot in the play-offs if they cannot overtake the reigning continental champions.
Possible group winners: Ivory Coast, Gabon
Group G - Algeria Close to Qualification
Algeria, with a four-point lead, needs just one win from their remaining games against eliminated Somalia and second-placed Uganda to secure the top spot.
Uganda is only ahead of Mozambique on goal difference in the race for second place.
The Cranes will travel to Botswana for their first match on Thursday before heading to North Africa, while Mozambique will host Guinea before facing Somalia away.
Possible group winners: Algeria, Uganda, Mozambique
Group H - Namibia Aims for Second Place
Tunisia has already secured the top position with two matches remaining, while Namibia is well-placed to claim second place.
The Brave Warriors lead Liberia by four points and are five points ahead of Malawi and Equatorial Guinea.
Namibia will face Liberia on Thursday before concluding their campaign with a trip to Tunis. Liberia will visit Equatorial Guinea in the final round of matches next Monday.
Group winners: Tunisia (qualified)
Group I - Black Stars in Control
Three teams are competing for the automatic qualifying position, with Ghana holding a three-point lead over Madagascar and Comoros trailing by another point.
The West Africans will travel to the Central African Republic on Wednesday (16:00 GMT), while Comoros will host Madagascar on the same day.
Ghana will qualify if they win and Madagascar fails to earn three points.
The Black Stars will conclude their campaign with a potentially crucial home match against Comoros on Sunday, while Madagascar will face Mali in their final game.
Possible group winners: Ghana, Madagascar, Comoros
The Play-off Route
The best four second-placed teams from the nine groups will enter the African play-offs in November.
Gabon, Madagascar, DR Congo, and Burkina Faso currently have the best records after eight matches.
To ensure sporting integrity after Eritrea withdrew from Group E just before the campaign began, the ranking of teams is expected to be adjusted accordingly.