The race for World Cup 2026 in North America is intensifying as Africa’s top teams enter a crucial phase. With only group winners earning a direct ticket and the four best runners-up fighting for a playoff spot, every match counts!
Powerhouses like Egypt, Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, and Morocco lead their groups, but Nigeria and Ghana face mounting pressure.
Here’s a breakdown of each group’s standings, key fixtures, and what’s at stake in the upcoming matchdays!
Group A: Egypt Aim to Extend Lead, Burkina Faso Chase Redemption
- Egypt remain unbeaten with Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud Trezeguet leading the charge.
- Burkina Faso must take full points to stay in the race.
- Guinea-Bissau continue to fight for a playoff spot.
Upcoming Fixtures:
- Matchday 5: Burkina Faso vs Djibouti | Sierra Leone vs Guinea-Bissau | Ethiopia vs Egypt
- Matchday 6: Guinea-Bissau vs Burkina Faso | Egypt vs Sierra Leone | Ethiopia vs Djibouti
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Egypt | 10 |
| 2nd | Guinea-Bissau | 6 |
| 3rd | Burkina Faso | 5 |
| 4th | Sierra Leone | 5 |
| 5th | Ethiopia | 3 |
| 6th | Djibouti | 1 |
Group B: Sudan vs. Senegal – A Fight for the Top Spot
- Sudan lead by 2 points, but Senegal (led by Sadio Mané) are closing in.
- DR Congo need back-to-back wins to stay in contention.
- Togo are still looking for their first win.
Upcoming Fixtures:
- Matchday 5: DR Congo vs South Sudan | Togo vs Mauritania | Sudan vs Senegal
- Matchday 6: Mauritania vs DR Congo | Senegal vs Togo | Sudan vs Senegal
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Sudan | 10 |
| 2nd | Senegal | 8 |
| 3rd | DR Congo | 7 |
| 4th | Togo | 3 |
| 5th | South Sudan | 2 |
| 6th | Mauritania | 1 |
Group C: Nigeria in Crisis as South Africa and Rwanda Lead
- Nigeria sit 5th with only 3 points and must win both upcoming games.
- South Africa, Rwanda, and Benin are in a tight battle at the top.
Upcoming Fixtures:
- Matchday 5: South Africa vs Lesotho | Zimbabwe vs Benin | Rwanda vs Nigeria
- Matchday 6: Benin vs South Africa | Nigeria vs Zimbabwe | Rwanda vs Lesotho
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Rwanda | 7 |
| 2nd | South Africa | 7 |
| 3rd | Benin | 7 |
| 4th | Lesotho | 5 |
| 5th | Nigeria | 3 |
| 6th | Zimbabwe | 2 |
Group D: Cameroon Look to Pull Away
- Cameroon, with 8 World Cup appearances, hold a slim lead.
- Libya and Cape Verde are just one point behind.
Upcoming Fixtures:
- Matchday 6: Angola vs Cape Verde | Cameroon vs Libya | Eswatini vs Mauritius
| Position | Team | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Cameroon | 8 |
| 2nd | Libya | 7 |
| 3rd | Cape Verde | 7 |
| 4th | Angola | 6 |
| 5th | Mauritius | 4 |
| 6th | Eswatini | 0 |
Other Group Standings:
| Group | 1st Place | Points | 2nd Place | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E | Morocco | 9 | Niger | 6 |
| F | Côte d’Ivoire | 10 | Gabon | 9 |
| G | Algeria | 9 | Mozambique | 9 |
| H | Tunisia | 10 | Namibia | 8 |
| I | Comoros | 9 | Ghana | 9 |
Who Will Represent Africa at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
- Egypt, Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire, Tunisia, and Morocco are leading the charge.
- Nigeria and Ghana are in must-win situations to stay in contention.
- Expect high-intensity battles in the upcoming matchdays as teams fight for a place on the world stage.
With only group winners securing direct qualification, the next two matchdays will be crucial in deciding Africa’s representatives at the FIFA World Cup 2026.
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