The road to the 2026 World Cup: The battle for qualifications and the dream of the playoffs
The African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup are entering their final stages, with only two rounds remaining to determine which teams will qualify directly for the tournament, while others will continue their journey through the playoffs.
Algeria needs just three points to secure passage, while Egypt only requires two points. Gabon also needs three points, whereas South Africa must gather four points, just like Ghana. Senegal needs five points, and Ivory Coast must collect a total of six points to secure a qualification spot.
In addition to the direct qualifiers, the playoffs offer a second chance via an African playoff featuring the best four teams that finished second in their groups. This playoff will take place in November, using a knockout format with semifinals and a final, and the winner will represent the continent in the global playoffs, which include teams from Asia, South America, Oceania, and North America, where only two teams will qualify for the World Cup.
After eight rounds, Gabon stands out with 19 points as one of the main candidates for the playoffs, alongside Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, each with 16 points. Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Namibia, and Uganda close in with 15 points, while Benin has 14 points and Tanzania trails with 10 points.
The competition is fierce among teams aiming to secure their status on the continental stage, while others hope to make history by claiming an exceptional seat in the World Cup. The last two rounds are poised to unveil new surprises that could reshape the representation of Africa in the upcoming World Cup.
