As the anticipation builds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the African qualification process promises to be a thrilling journey.
With the qualifiers set to start on 13 November 2023, here’s everything you need to know about the key dates, qualifying format, and the number of tickets available for African teams to the biggest football tournament in the world.
Key Dates for African Qualifiers
The African zone (CAF) qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will span two years, beginning on 13 November 2023 and concluding in November 2025. The schedule is designed to ensure a comprehensive and competitive selection process:
- 13-21 November 2023: 1st and 2nd matchdays
- 3-11 June 2024: 3rd and 4th matchdays
- 17-25 March 2025: 5th and 6th matchdays
- 1-9 September 2025: 7th and 8th matchdays
- 6-14 October 2025: 9th and 10th matchdays
- 10-18 November 2025: CAF play-off tournament
How Qualifying Works
The qualification process in Africa consists of two main rounds.
First Round: Group Stage
The first round features a group stage with nine groups, each containing six teams. These teams will compete in a round-robin format, playing home and away matches against each of their group opponents. The team that finishes at the top of each group will automatically qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Second Round: Play-Off Stage
The second round involves the four best runners-up from the group stage. These teams will face off in two one-off semi-finals, with the winners advancing to a final. The victor of this final will secure a spot in the FIFA Play-Off Tournament.
Groups for the First Round
The first-round groups are set as follows:
- Group A: Egypt, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Ethiopia, Djibouti
- Group B: Senegal, DR Congo, Mauritania, Togo, Sudan, South Sudan
- Group C: Nigeria, South Africa, Benin, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Lesotho
- Group D: Cameroon, Cape Verde, Angola, Libya, Eswatini, Mauritius
- Group E: Morocco, Zambia, Congo, Tanzania, Niger, Eritrea
- Group F: Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Kenya, The Gambia, Burundi, Seychelles
- Group G: Algeria, Guinea, Uganda, Mozambique, Botswana, Somalia
- Group H: Tunisia, Equatorial Guinea, Namibia, Malawi, Liberia, Sao Tome e Principe
- Group I: Mali, Ghana, Madagascar, Central African Republic, Comoros, Chad
Tickets to FIFA World Cup 2026™
Africa is guaranteed nine spots at the 2026 World Cup, with another team having the opportunity to compete for a place through the FIFA Play-Off Tournament. This format ensures that the continent will have strong representation on the world stage.
FIFA Play-Off Tournament
The FIFA Play-Off Tournament is an additional pathway to the World Cup. Six teams will compete for the final two spots at the tournament:
- Two teams from Concacaf
- One team each from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL, and OFC
The four lowest-ranked teams will first compete in semi-finals, while the two highest-ranked teams will go directly into the finals. The winners of the two bracket finals will secure the final spots at the World Cup.
Historical Context
Africa has a rich history of participation in the World Cup, with several nations making multiple appearances:
- Cameroon: 8 appearances
- Morocco: 6 appearances
- Nigeria: 6 appearances
- Tunisia: 6 appearances
- Ghana: 4 appearances
- Algeria: 4 appearances
- Senegal: 3 appearances
- Egypt: 3 appearances
- South Africa: 3 appearances
- Côte d’Ivoire: 3 appearances
- DR Congo (as Zaire): 1 appearance
- Angola: 1 appearance
- Togo: 1 appearance
The 2026 qualifiers promise to add new chapters to this history, as African teams vie for a place on football’s biggest stage. With a blend of established powers and rising stars, the journey to the 2026 World Cup is set to be an exciting and competitive spectacle for football fans across the continent.
