Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon: All you need to know about Africa’s final route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Final African Playoff Set: Four Nations Chase Last 2026 World Cup Spot

Nigeria, Cameroon, DR Congo and Gabon: All you need to know about Africa’s final route to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

With Africa’s 9 direct qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup now confirmed , attention turns to the CAF playoff tournament .. the final chance for one African nation to keep its World Cup dream alive.

Dates & Format

The playoff will be held in Morocco over 2 matchday:

• Semi-finals: 13 November 2025
• Final: 16 November 2025

Four teams (the best runners-up from the group stage) will compete in 3 match, single elimination tournament.

The winner will advance to the FIFA intercontinental playoff in March 2026 where 6 team from around the world will battle for the final 2 World Cup spot.

Tournament Structure

• Match 1: Team 1 vs Team 4
• Match 2: Team 2 vs Team 3
• Final: winner of match 1 vs winner of match 2

The seeding (Teams 1-4)'s based on the FIFA World Ranking released after the Oct international window:

• Nigeria - Highest ranked team
• Cameroon - Second highest
• DR Congo - Third highest
• Gabon - Fourth highest

Fixture Schedule

What’s at Stake?

The champion of this mini tournament will represent Africa in the intercontinental playoff facing opponents from Asia, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL and Oceania.

Two of those 6 team will claim the final tickets to the 2026 World Cup.

Key takeaway

For giants like Nigeria & Cameroon, this playoff's second chance at redemption. For Gabon & DR Congo, it’s opportunity to write history.

One of them will keep Africa’s hopes alive when the world gathers in Mar 2026 for the last stop on the road to the World Cup.