The curtain falls on the Africa qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup after months of heated competition, delivering historic numbers and standout performances that will linger in memory.
Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Ghana, South Africa, Senegal, and Cape Verde secured direct tickets to the World Cup, while Cameroon, Nigeria, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo will contest the continental playoffs for additional representation in the global route.
Tunisia finished with 28 points from 30, while Morocco extended their remarkable winning run, cementing their status as an untouchable continental power.
Ivory Coast registered a historic scoreline in the qualifiers, and their defense stood firm like an iron wall, not conceding a single goal throughout the campaign.
On the individual side, Mohamed Salah claimed the all-time Africa World Cup qualifiers top scorer title again, though Algerian Mohamed Amoura outscored him in this edition.
Kai Kamara, at 41 years old, became the second-oldest player to score in Africa qualifiers, thanks to a brilliant header from outside the box.
Highlights and Records
FIFA’s official report confirms that ten outfield players completed every minute of the qualifying campaign (900 minutes). The names span several leading teams and define a rare level of consistency across a grueling schedule.
Reflecting the depth of talent, the list includes players from Nigeria, Senegal, the Congo region, and North African squads, underscoring how every minute mattered in this fight for a World Cup berth.
Ivory Coast’s Historic Triumph and Morocco’s Streak
Ivory Coast claimed a record-breaking moment with a 9-0 win over Seychelles, the biggest victory in Africa’s qualifiers, surpassing older landmarks. Their defense matched the moment, conceding few goals and helping seal a top finish for the Elephants.
Morocco, meanwhile, completed an eight-win run, equaling a South African record for most consecutive wins in Africa qualifiers and reinforcing their status as Africa’s current force in world football.
Salah’s Milestone and the Quiet Rise of Amoura
Mohamed Salah reached 20 goals, cementing his standing as Africa’s top scorer in World Cup qualifiers, while Mohamed Amoura of Algeria finished strong, challenging Salah for the crown this edition.
Playoffs and the Road Ahead
Beyond the direct qualifyers, the continent prepares for a high-stakes playoff phase where Cameroon, Nigeria, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo will vie for the remaining global playoff spots, keeping fans on edge for every twist.
As the dust settled, Cape Verde’s breakthrough underscored how smaller nations are rewriting the map, while giants like Ghana and Tunisia reminded everyone that historic prestige still travels with every shirt pull and whistle of the referee.
Other notable moments included a surge from island nations and a handful of veterans delivering late goals that reminded viewers that football remains a game of seconds and nerves.
With the World Cup field taking shape, fans can now savor the drama of the intercontinental playoffs and the prospect of new stories joining the hall of fame of African qualifiers.
And if you thought the drama ended with the last whistle, remember this: in football, even a paused replay can spark a new legend—or at least a funny meme to share with friends. Speaking of memes, if life were a football match, halftime would be when you realize you forgot to press the snooze button on your alarm and still ended up on time for the kickoff. Boom, continental drama, served with a side of chaos.
Punchline 1: If Morocco’s winning streak were a grocery list, it’d be “eggs, bread, three points, repeat.” Punchline 2: In Africa’s road to the World Cup, even the stat sheets need a coffee break after a long night of defending and scoring.
