World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Who are the top 4 runners-up ahead of the final matchday?

Who are the top 4 runners-up ahead of the final matchday of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers?

World Cup 2026 qualifiers: Who are the top 4 runners-up ahead of the final matchday?

The competition is fierce among several African teams as they battle to be among the top 4 group runners-up in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, earning a place in the African play-off.

The winner of this mini-tournament will get the chance to compete in the intercontinental play-off, chasing a historic 10th ticket for the African continent.

As a reminder, four African nations have already secured their places in the 2026 World Cup finals, which will take place in North America (United States, Mexico and Canada): Tunisia, Algeria, Egypt and Morocco.

Here is the ranking of the top group runners-up ahead of the 10th and final matchday of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers:

Gabon (Group F): 22 points, 9 matches, 7 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, 20 goals scored, 9 conceded, goal difference +11

Madagascar (Group I): 19 points, 9 matches, 6 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses, 16 goals scored, 8 conceded, goal difference +8

DR Congo (Group B): 19 points, 9 matches, 6 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses, 14 goals scored, 6 conceded, goal difference +8

Burkina Faso (Group A): 18 points, 9 matches, 5 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss, 20 goals scored, 7 conceded, goal difference +13

Cameroon (Group D): 18 points, 9 matches, 5 wins, 3 draws, 1 loss, 17 goals scored, 5 conceded, goal difference +12

Uganda (Group G): 18 points, 9 matches, 6 wins, 0 draws, 3 losses, 13 goals scored, 7 conceded, goal difference +6

Namibia (Group H): 15 points, 9 matches, 4 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses, 13 goals scored, 7 conceded, goal difference +6

South Africa (Group C): 15 points, 9 matches, 4 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses, 12 goals scored, 9 conceded, goal difference +3

Niger (Group E): 10 points, 7 matches, 4 wins, 0 draws, 3 losses, 6 goals scored, 6 conceded, goal difference 0