Nigeria’s ambitions are in shambles as African qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup heats up, with Egypt and Morocco getting closer to securing their tickets to the international showcase in the US, Mexico, and Canada.
The competition among the nine African groups is getting fiercer with four rounds of games remaining, and a number of titans could lose out.
Below is the state of play across all groups:
Group A – Egypt in Command
Standings: Egypt lead Burkina Faso by five points.
Key Matches: Egypt vs Ethiopia; Burkina Faso vs Djibouti.
Outlook: Two wins could seal Egypt’s qualification.
Group B – Three-Way Battle
Standings: DR Congo, Senegal, and Sudan are split by one point.
Key Matches: Senegal host Sudan and face DR Congo; Sudan visit Togo.
Outlook: Sudan chase a maiden World Cup amid conflict at home.
Group C – Nigeria in Trouble
Standings: South Africa top with 13 points; Nigeria sit fourth with seven.
Key Matches: Nigeria host Rwanda, then face South Africa away.
Outlook: Nigeria must win both to stay alive. A ruling on South Africa’s alleged ineligible player could impact standings.
Group D – Cape Verde vs Cameroon
Standings: Cape Verde lead Cameroon by one point.
Key Matches: Cape Verde host Cameroon, then travel to Mauritius; Cameroon face Eswatini.
Outlook: Cape Verde eye historic qualification; Libya and Angola still lurking.
Group E – Morocco Poised for History
Standings: Morocco boast a perfect record (5 wins in 5).
Key Matches: Morocco play Niger and Zambia; Tanzania face Congo-Brazzaville.
Outlook: Atlas Lions could become Africa’s first confirmed qualifiers.
Group F – Ivory Coast vs Gabon
Standings: Ivory Coast one point ahead of Gabon.
Key Matches: Gabon host Ivory Coast; Ivory Coast face Burundi and Seychelles.
Outlook: A tight race between two resurgent sides.
Group G – Algeria Closing In
Standings: Algeria three points clear of Mozambique.
Key Matches: Algeria host Botswana, travel to Guinea; Mozambique meet Uganda and Botswana.
Outlook: Algeria well-placed but can’t slip up.
Group H – Tunisia in Control
Standings: Tunisia four points ahead of Namibia.
Key Matches: Tunisia vs Liberia; Tunisia vs Equatorial Guinea; Namibia face Malawi and Sao Tome.
Outlook: Tunisia could qualify early, but an Equatorial Guinea appeal looms.
