Because the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying sequence in Africa attracts to a detailed, 5 international locations are nonetheless battling for the 4 remaining play-off spots.
A complete of 9 groups will qualify robotically for the World Cup from the African zone, whereas yet another staff will be part of them via the inter-confederation play-offs.
The play-offs will characteristic 4 of the most effective second-placed groups from the group stage. Right here’s how the race stands:
Gabon – Group F (19 factors)
Gabon are second behind Côte d’Ivoire, who’re main comfortably and nonetheless have two video games towards Seychelles and Kenya. Gabon will face Gambia and Burundi of their ultimate matches, hoping to safe one of many play-off positions.
Madagascar – Group I (16 factors)
Madagascar should beat Comoros of their subsequent sport and end strongly towards Mali to face an opportunity. Ghana, who presently high the group, are anticipated to keep up their lead with matches towards Central African Republic and Comoros.
Congo – Group B (16 factors)
Congo are set to play Sudan and Togo, each sitting slightly below them. Nonetheless, they could nonetheless end second to Senegal, who’ve simpler fixtures — an away sport towards South Sudan and a house tie towards Mauritania.
Burkina Faso – Group A (15 factors)
Burkina Faso path Egypt by 5 factors and can goal for back-to-back wins over Sierra Leone and Ethiopia to spice up their hopes of ending second. Egypt look set to high the group, with their remaining matches towards Djibouti and Guinea-Bissau.
South Africa – Group C (14 factors)
South Africa suffered a setback after shedding three factors as a consequence of FIFA sanctions for fielding an ineligible participant. They now sit second in Group C, degree on factors with Benin Republic. South Africa face Zimbabwe and Rwanda subsequent and shall be determined to achieve the play-offs regardless of latest challenges.
Their qualification hopes might be helped by the upcoming conflict between Nigeria (third) and Benin Republic (first), the place one of many two is more likely to drop essential factors.
With only some video games left, the battle for Africa’s ultimate play-off locations guarantees to be fierce — and each purpose might make the distinction.
