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Africa 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Nine Direct Seats, Playoff Drama, and How to Watch

8 October 2025

Africa 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Nine Direct Seats, Playoff Drama, and How to Watch
AFP photo from the Abidjan draw illustrating the grouped teams and fixtures.

What is the format for the 2026 Africa World Cup qualifiers?

In a landmark change, FIFA expands the World Cup to 48 teams. Africa will be rewarded with nine direct berths, plus a possible tenth through the intercontinental playoff. The CAF qualifiers feature 54 teams divided into nine groups of six, each group playing a double round robin. The winners of the nine groups qualify directly, while the four best runners‑up advance to a continental playoff that determines the Africa representative in the intercontinental playoff. The result is nine guaranteed seeds from Africa, with a possible extra seat if the playoff goes in Africa’s favor. If this were a cooking show, Africa just got nine main courses and a spicy bonus option.

Schedule and key dates

The qualifying process kicked off in November 2023 and will conclude in October 2025, with the intercontinental playoff scheduled for November 2025. The article outlines fixtures across rounds eight to ten, including venues, dates, and broadcast plans, keeping fans on alert for every twist in the group stage narrative.

Broadcast rights in Africa

Broadcast rights are managed regionally, with SSC SPORTS (Saudi Arabia) holding the rights for the region. Each country typically uses its own broadcasters to show national team games—Moroccan TV and ONTIME SPORTS for Egypt, Algerian Sports for Algeria, and Tunisian channels for Tunisia, among others—ensuring fans can tune in wherever they are in Africa.

Group standings snapshot (as of Round 10)

Group 1 – Egypt leads after nine matches: 7 wins, 2 draws, 0 losses; 19 goals for, 2 against; +17 goal difference; 23 points. Group 2 – Senegal tops with 18 points from eight games (5W-3D-0L; 13-3; +10). Group 3 – Benin on 14 points (4W-2D-2L; 11-7; +4). Group 4 – Cape Verde on 20 points (6W-2D-0L; 13-0; +13). Group 5 – Morocco undefeated on 21 points (7W-0D-0L; 21-2; +19). Group 6 – Ivory Coast on 20 points (6W-2D-0L; 15-0; +15). Group 7 – Algeria on 19 points (6W-1D-1L; 19-7; +12). Group 8 – Tunisia on 22 points (7W-1D-0L; 13-0; +13). Group 9 – Ghana on 22 points (7W-1D-1L; 22-6; +16).

Upcoming fixtures and rounds

The article provides an extensive slate of fixtures for Round 10 and earlier rounds, listing dates, venues, and results where available. It serves as a detailed guide for fans following every group’s journey toward the 2026 World Cup.

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Michael Whooosh

I am Michael Whooosh, an English sports journalist born in 1986. Passionate about surfing, poetry, and beekeeping, I share my human and sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many African teams qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup?

Nine teams from Africa qualify directly, with a potential tenth slot available via the intercontinental playoff if Africa’s representative succeeds in the playoff.

When does the CAF qualification phase run, and when is the intercontinental playoff?

Qualifiers run from November 2023 to October 2025, with the intercontinental playoff scheduled for November 2025.

How are the groups arranged in Africa for 2026?

54 CAF teams are divided into nine groups of six, playing a double round-robin. Group winners advance directly, and the four best runners-up enter a continental playoff for a spot in the intercontinental playoff.

Which networks broadcast Africa’s World Cup qualifiers?

Broadcasters vary by country. In general, regional networks share rights (e.g., SSC SPORTS in Saudi Arabia for the region; national broadcasters cover their own teams such as Moroccan TV, ONTIME SPORTS in Egypt, Algerian Sports in Algeria, and Tunisian channels in Tunisia).