The race for Africa’s remaining places at the 2026 FIFA World Cup enters its decisive stage this week, with continental powerhouses Egypt, Algeria, and Ghana among the nations aiming to secure qualification before next Tuesday.
With only nine group winners guaranteed automatic tickets to next year’s expanded finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the competition across the continent is reaching fever pitch. Morocco and Tunisia have already sealed their berths, leaving seven spots still open.
Record African champions Egypt are on the verge of confirming their qualification, sitting five points clear at the top of Group A. The Pharaohs, led by coach Hossam Hassan, can seal their place with a win away to Djibouti on Wednesday.
Their dominance has been built on defensive solidity and attacking precision. Should they fail to clinch victory midweek, they will have another chance when they host Guinea-Bissau in Cairo on Sunday.
Burkina Faso, their closest challengers, would need a string of favourable results — including victories over Sierra Leone and Ethiopia to keep the race alive.
One of Africa’s smallest nations, Cape Verde, are on the verge of making history. The Blue Sharks lead Group D by four points and need just one win from their final two matches to qualify for their first-ever World Cup.
After stunning Cameroon last month, Bubista’s men can complete the dream with victory in Libya on Thursday or at home to Eswatini on Monday.
With a population of about half a million, Cape Verde’s rise from minnows to global contenders has been one of African football’s most inspiring stories.
Cameroon, however, are still in contention and must win both of their remaining games against Mauritius and Angola while hoping Cape Verde slip up. In Group G, Algeria need just one more point to seal qualification. The Desert Foxes face bottom-placed Somalia on Thursday before hosting Uganda in Algiers.
Coach Vladimir Petković’s men have been dominant throughout qualifying and are widely expected to book their spot alongside Morocco, Tunisia, and potentially Egypt as North Africa’s representatives in 2026.
In Group I, Ghana are closing in on a fifth World Cup appearance. The Black Stars top the group by three points and will qualify if they defeat the Central African Republic on Wednesday and Madagascar fail to beat Comoros.
If the race goes down to the final day, Ghana’s home tie with Comoros on Sunday could prove decisive. Two of Africa’s football giants — Nigeria and Cameroon — face a tense final stretch.
Nigeria’s campaign has been turbulent, marred by off-field issues and a FIFA sanction against South Africa. The Super Eagles must win both remaining Group C matches and rely on other results to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Cameroon, meanwhile, risk missing consecutive World Cups for the first time in over three decades unless they deliver a strong finish in their last two fixtures.
Only group winners earn direct qualification, while the four best runners-up will advance to Africa’s final play-offs, where one additional team will compete in the intercontinental qualifiers.
At present, Gabon, DR Congo, Burkina Faso, and Madagascar occupy the play-off spots but the final two rounds could drastically reshape the standings.
As the qualifying marathon nears its conclusion, anticipation is building from Cairo to Praia, Algiers to Accra. The coming days will determine which nations carry Africa’s hopes to North America 2026 — and which will be left seeking redemption through the play-offs.
