CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers: Crunch Time for African Giants

As the CAF 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers resume this week, African nations enter a decisive phase, with matchdays five and six set to shape the race for North America.

With only group winners securing direct qualification and the four best runners-up battling for a playoff spot, every fixture carries immense weight.

Current group leaders Egypt, Sudan, Côte d'Ivoire, Tunisia, and Morocco have positioned themselves well, but traditional powerhouses like Nigeria and Ghana are under mounting pressure. Here’s a breakdown of the key battles ahead:

Group A: Egypt Aims to Extend Lead, Burkina Faso in Pursuit

Egypt remain favorites to top Group A, boasting an unbeaten record led by Mohamed Salah and Mahmoud Trezeguet, the joint-top scorers in qualifying. Omar Marmoush's presence adds further firepower as Egypt faces Ethiopia away before hosting Sierra Leone.

Upcoming Fixtures:

• Burkina Faso vs Djibouti | Sierra Leone vs Guinea-Bissau | Ethiopia vs Egypt

• Guinea-Bissau vs Burkina Faso | Egypt vs Sierra Leone | Ethiopia vs Djibouti

Standings:

1. Egypt - 10 pts

2. Guinea-Bissau - 6 pts

3. Burkina Faso - 5 pts

4. Sierra Leone - 5 pts

5. Ethiopia - 3 pts

6. Djibouti - 1 pt

Group B: Sudan and Senegal Set for Pivotal Clash

A top-of-the-table showdown awaits as Sudan, leading with 10 points, faces second-placed Senegal, who remain unbeaten. Senegal, spearheaded by Sadio Mane, must win to overtake Sudan. DR Congo, meanwhile, looks to stay in contention.

Upcoming Fixtures:

• DR Congo vs South Sudan | Togo vs Mauritania | Sudan vs Senegal

• Mauritania vs DR Congo | Senegal vs Togo | Sudan vs Senegal

Standings:

1. Sudan - 10 pts

2. Senegal - 8 pts

3. DR Congo - 7 pts

4. Togo - 3 pts

5. South Sudan - 2 pts

6. Mauritania - 1 pt

Group C: Nigeria in Crisis Amid Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin Charge

With Rwanda, South Africa, and Benin all tied on seven points, this is one of the most competitive groups. Nigeria, however, are in serious danger of missing out on the World Cup, sitting fifth with only three points.

Upcoming Fixtures:

• South Africa vs Lesotho | Zimbabwe vs Benin | Rwanda vs Nigeria

• Benin vs South Africa | Nigeria vs Zimbabwe | Rwanda vs Lesotho

Standings:

1. Rwanda - 7 pts

2. South Africa - 7 pts

3. Benin - 7 pts

4. Lesotho - 5 pts

5. Nigeria - 3 pts

6. Zimbabwe - 2 pts

Group D: Cameroon Look to Pull Away

Cameroon, with their rich World Cup history, lead Group D but face pressure from Libya and Cape Verde. A win against bottom-placed Eswatini could give them breathing room at the top.

Upcoming Fixtures:

• Cape Verde vs Mauritius | Libya vs Angola | Eswatini vs Cameroon

• Angola vs Cape Verde | Cameroon vs Libya | Eswatini vs Mauritius

Standings:

1. Cameroon - 8 pts

2. Libya - 7 pts

3. Cape Verde - 7 pts

4. Angola - 6 pts

5. Mauritius - 4 pts

6. Eswatini - 0 pts

Group E: Morocco Dominate as Eritrea’s Exit Alters Dynamics

With three wins from three, Morocco are strong favorites for direct qualification. Their upcoming matches against Niger and Tanzania will be critical in sealing their World Cup spot.

Upcoming Fixtures:

• Niger vs Morocco | Tanzania vs Congo | Zambia vs Eritrea*

• Congo vs Zambia | Niger vs Eritrea* | Morocco vs Tanzania

Standings:

1. Morocco - 9 pts

2. Niger - 6 pts

3. Tanzania - 6 pts

4. Zambia - 3 pts

5. Congo - 0 pts

Group F: Côte d’Ivoire Face Pressure from Gabon and Burundi

Fresh off their AFCON triumph, Côte d’Ivoire lead the group with 10 points but face strong competition from Gabon and Burundi. Gabon, just one point behind, will rely on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to keep up the chase.

Upcoming Fixtures:

• Gabon vs Seychelles | Gambia vs Kenya | Burundi vs Côte d’Ivoire

• Kenya vs Gabon | Côte d’Ivoire vs Gambia | Burundi vs Seychelles

Standings:

1. Côte d’Ivoire - 10 pts

2. Gabon - 9 pts

3. Burundi - 7 pts

4. Kenya - 5 pts

5. Gambia - 3 pts

6. Seychelles - 0 pts

Group G: Algeria and Mozambique Neck-and-Neck

Algeria and Mozambique lead with nine points each, but the group remains wide open with Botswana, Guinea, and Uganda chasing closely behind.

Upcoming Fixtures:

• Guinea vs Somalia | Mozambique vs Uganda | Botswana vs Algeria

• Uganda vs Guinea | Algeria vs Mozambique | Botswana vs Somalia

Standings:

1. Algeria - 9 pts

2. Mozambique - 9 pts

3. Botswana - 6 pts

4. Guinea - 6 pts

5. Uganda - 6 pts

6. Somalia - 0 pts

Group H: Tunisia Hold Lead, Namibia and Liberia in Pursuit

Tunisia lead the group with 10 points, aiming for their seventh World Cup appearance. Namibia and Liberia remain within reach, making these next matches crucial.

Upcoming Fixtures:

• Equatorial Guinea vs São Tomé and Príncipe | Malawi vs Namibia | Liberia vs Tunisia

• Namibia vs Equatorial Guinea | Tunisia vs Malawi | Liberia vs São Tomé and Príncipe

Standings:

1. Tunisia - 10 pts

2. Namibia - 8 pts

3. Liberia - 7 pts

4. Malawi - 6 pts

5. Equatorial Guinea - 3 pts

6. São Tomé and Príncipe - 0 pts

Group I: Ghana Under Pressure as Comoros Lead Surprise Charge

Comoros have shocked many by topping the group alongside Ghana. The Black Stars must secure maximum points against Chad and Madagascar to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Upcoming Fixtures:

• Ghana vs Chad | Central African Republic vs Madagascar | Comoros vs Mali

• Madagascar vs Ghana | Central African Republic vs Mali | Comoros vs Chad

Standings:

1. Comoros - 9 pts

2. Ghana - 9 pts

3. Madagascar - 7 pts

4. Mali - 5 pts

5. Central African Republic - 4 pts

6. Chad - 0 pts

With just group winners securing direct qualification, the upcoming fixtures will be crucial in deciding Africa's representatives at World Cup 2026. Expect intense battles as teams push for a place on the world stage!