Africa: the road to the World Cup 2026 play-offs!

African play-offs for the 2026 World Cup: everything you need to know

World Cup 2026 / @lalgerieaujourdhui.dz

Yesterday, Tuesday, the teams that have qualified for the African play-offs ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup were confirmed. This tournament will determine which African side will claim an extra spot at the World Cup.

Four teams that finished second in their respective groups will compete in this final phase: Cameroon, Nigeria, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

🔥 CAF World Cup Playoffs Loading…

Here are the four nations that have booked their spots for the CAF 2026 World Cup Playoffs, set to be played in Morocco 🇲🇦 (Nov 13–16, proposed dates):

🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇨🇩 DR Congo
🇨🇲 Cameroon
🇬🇦 Gabon

CAF will use the October FIFA Rankings to… pic.twitter.com/ydHd8ZLaVH

— Micky Jnr (@MickyJnr__) October 14, 2025

African play-offs for the 2026 World Cup: everything you need to know

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has outlined the format for this second phase of the African qualifiers. The matches will be played as a short tournament in Morocco in November.

The four teams will face off in the semi-finals, with the two winners advancing to the final to determine which nation will represent Africa in the intercontinental play-off against teams from other continents.

How will the African play-offs unfold?

• Semi-finals – November 13 Highest-ranked team in the FIFA ranking × Lowest-ranked team Second-highest ranked team × Third-highest ranked team
• Final – November 16 Winner of the first semi-final × Winner of the second semi-final

SUPER EAGLES INTO THE CAF PLAYOFFS. Games Revealed.

Thanks to that crucial 4th goal against Benin, Nigeria clinch the 4th and final CAF playoff spot for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Super Eagles will now face Gabon in the first semifinal on November 13, in Morocco.… pic.twitter.com/kcqSuNswz1

— Dr. Victor Ademola (@AdemolaVictorTv) October 14, 2025