The road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is heating up across Africa as the CAF qualifiers reach a crucial stage. With nine direct qualification spots and one inter-confederation playoff slot up for grabs, every match is a battle for supremacy. Here’s an in-depth look at the current standings, key performances, and what lies ahead for the African teams.
🏆 Overview of the CAF Qualification Format
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has structured the World Cup qualifiers as follows:
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First Round (Nov 2023 – Oct 2025): 54 teams divided into nine groups of six. Each team plays home and away matches.
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Qualification: The top team from each group qualifies directly for the World Cup.
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Playoffs: The four best runners-up enter playoffs. The winner advances to the inter-confederation playoffs.
Africa’s top talents—Salah, Mané, Mahrez—leading their nations to glory with stunning performances.
📊 Current Standings by Group
Group A
| Position | Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt | 6 | 16 |
| 2 | Burkina Faso | 6 | 11 |
| 3 | Sierra Leone | 6 | 8 |
| 4 | Ethiopia | 6 | 6 |
| 5 | Guinea-Bissau | 6 | 6 |
| 6 | Djibouti | 6 | 1 |
Egypt leads the group with an impressive 16 points, showcasing consistent performance. Burkina Faso trails by five points, keeping the competition alive.
Group B
| Position | Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DR Congo | 6 | 13 |
| 2 | Senegal | 6 | 12 |
| 3 | Sudan | 6 | 12 |
| 4 | Togo | 6 | 4 |
| 5 | South Sudan | 6 | 3 |
| 6 | Mauritania | 6 | 2 |
A tight race in Group B with DR Congo narrowly leading. Senegal and Sudan are hot on their heels, each with 12 points.
Group C
| Position | Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 6 | 13 |
| 2 | Rwanda | 6 | 8 |
| 3 | Benin | 6 | 8 |
| 4 | Nigeria | 6 | 7 |
| 5 | Lesotho | 6 | 6 |
| 6 | Zimbabwe | 6 | 4 |
South Africa tops the group, but with Rwanda and Benin close behind, the battle for the top spot is intense.
Group D
| Position | Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cape Verde | 6 | 13 |
| 2 | Cameroon | 6 | 12 |
| 3 | Libya | 6 | 8 |
| 4 | Angola | 6 | 7 |
| 5 | Mauritius | 6 | 5 |
| 6 | Eswatini | 6 | 2 |
Cape Verde holds a slim lead over Cameroon. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial for both teams.
Group E
| Position | Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Morocco | 5 | 15 |
| 2 | Tanzania | 5 | 9 |
| 3 | Zambia | 5 | 6 |
| 4 | Niger | 4 | 6 |
| 5 | Congo | 5 | 0 |
Morocco has been dominant, winning all five matches. Tanzania is the closest competitor but trails by six points.
Group F
| Position | Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ivory Coast | 6 | 16 |
| 2 | Gabon | 6 | 15 |
| 3 | Burundi | 6 | 10 |
| 4 | Kenya | 6 | 6 |
| 5 | Gambia | 6 | 4 |
| 6 | Seychelles | 6 | 0 |
Ivory Coast and Gabon are in a fierce battle for the top spot, separated by just one point.
Group G
| Position | Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Algeria | 6 | 15 |
| 2 | Mozambique | 6 | 12 |
| 3 | Botswana | 6 | 9 |
| 4 | Uganda | 6 | 9 |
| 5 | Guinea | 6 | 7 |
| 6 | Somalia | 6 | 1 |
Algeria leads Group G, but Mozambique is within striking distance. The competition remains open.
Group H
| Position | Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tunisia | 6 | 16 |
| 2 | Namibia | 6 | 12 |
| 3 | Liberia | 6 | 10 |
| 4 | Equatorial Guinea | 6 | 7 |
| 5 | Malawi | 6 | 6 |
| 6 | São Tomé | 6 | 0 |
Tunisia remains unbeaten, leading the group. Namibia and Liberia are in close pursuit.
Group I
| Position | Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ghana | 6 | 15 |
| 2 | Comoros | 6 | 12 |
| 3 | Madagascar | 6 | 10 |
| 4 | Mali | 6 | 9 |
| 5 | Central African Republic | 6 | 5 |
| 6 | Chad | 6 | 0 |
Ghana leads the group, but Comoros and Madagascar are not far behind, making for an exciting finish.
🔥 Key Performances and Highlights
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Mohamed Salah continues to shine for Egypt, contributing significantly to their top position in Group A.
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Morocco maintains a perfect record in Group E, showcasing their strength and consistency.
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South Africa has emerged as a strong contender in Group C, leading with 13 points.
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Ivory Coast and Gabon are neck and neck in Group F, making their upcoming matches crucial.
Group leaders as of June 2025: Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, and more dominating their paths to the World Cup.
🗓️ Upcoming Fixtures to Watch
As the qualifiers progress, several key matches could determine the fate of the groups:
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Group B: Senegal vs. DR Congo – A clash that could decide the group leader.
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Group F: Ivory Coast vs. Gabon – A potential group decider.
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Group I: Ghana vs. Comoros – A match that could reshape the group standings.
🧠 FAQs
Q: How many African teams will qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
A: Nine teams will qualify directly, and one.
Q: When will the CAF qualifiers conclude?
A: The qualifiers are scheduled to conclude in October 2025, with playoffs in November 2025.
Q: Where can I find the latest standings and fixtures?
A: You can check the latest updates on ESPN and CAF Online.