The African qualifying campaign for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, has delivered drama, surprises, and heartbreak. With nine direct slots and one playoff spot for African nations, the competition was fierce.

CAF split the teams into nine groups of six, playing home-and-away fixtures. Group winners qualified automatically, while the four best runners-up entered the playoffs for a chance at the Inter-confederation playoffs.

As expected, heavyweights Morocco and Senegal secured their places at the tournament. Morocco impressed at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, while Senegal continued their rise after defeating Morocco in a controversial Africa Cup of Nations final. Tunisia claimed the best qualification record, winning Group H with 28 points from 10 matches. Ivory Coast and Egypt topped their groups with 26 points, Algeria finished first in Group G with 25 points, and Cape Verde caused a shock by defeating Cameroon to top Group D with 23 points. South Africa won Group C with 18 points, pushing Nigeria into second place.

Nigeria, however, refused to give up. In the playoffs, they overcame Gabon 4-1 after extra time in the semifinals. But in the final against DR Congo, the Super Eagles opened the scoring early only for the Congolese side to equalize in the 32nd minute. The match ended 1-1, sending the tie to penalties. Nigeria missed crucial kicks, and DR Congo emerged victorious, advancing to the Inter-confederation playoff final against New Caledonia or Jamaica. A win for DR Congo could secure Africa a historic 10th slot at the 2026 World Cup.

The African qualifiers highlighted both the continent’s top performers and its unpredictable moments, setting the stage for an exciting World Cup with fans and bettors eagerly watching every development.