African Nations Set for 2026 World Cup: Morocco and Senegal Lead the Charge
The anticipation is building as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, with African football fans eagerly awaiting the tournament set to take place across the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11th to July 19th. This edition will be the largest in history, featuring an expanded format that offered nine direct qualification slots for African teams, plus an additional playoff opportunity.
The CAF Qualifying Process: A Grueling Journey
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) organized a rigorous qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup. Teams were divided into nine groups, each containing six nations, where they competed in home-and-away matches. The winner of each group earned an automatic ticket to the global spectacle, while the four best runners-up advanced to a playoff round. The ultimate prize for the playoff winner was a spot in the Inter-confederation play-offs, offering a final chance to secure Africa's tenth berth.
With continental heavyweights like Morocco and Senegal at the forefront, the stakes were incredibly high for supporters and sports bettors across Nigeria and beyond. For Nigerian enthusiasts looking to back their favorite teams, accessing platforms like Bet9ja's old mobile app remains a popular choice due to its user-friendly interface and reliability.
Confirmed African Qualifiers for 2026
It came as no surprise that Morocco and Senegal successfully navigated the qualifying groups. Morocco, after their impressive performance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, has solidified its status as one of Africa's football powerhouses. Senegal, fresh from their controversial Africa Cup of Nations victory over Morocco, also topped their group to secure qualification.
Other notable qualifiers include Tunisia, which dominated Group H with an outstanding record of 28 points from 10 matches, winning nine games and drawing one. Ivory Coast and Egypt both finished their groups with 26 points, while Algeria claimed Group G with 25 points. In a stunning upset, Cape Verde shocked Cameroon to win Group D with 23 points, and South Africa secured qualification from Group C with 18 points, edging out Nigeria for the top spot.
Nigeria's Heartbreaking Elimination Drama
Despite finishing second in Group C behind South Africa, Nigeria's Super Eagles still had a pathway to the 2026 World Cup through the CAF playoffs. They began their campaign with a hard-fought 4-1 victory over Gabon in the semifinal, requiring extra time to secure the win. Meanwhile, Cameroon suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat to DR Congo in their semifinal clash.
This set up a dramatic final between Nigeria and DR Congo for the right to represent Africa in the Inter-confederation play-offs. Nigeria started brightly, scoring within just three minutes of the match, but DR Congo equalized in the 32nd minute. With no further goals in regulation or extra time, the match went to a penalty shootout.
Tragedy struck for Nigerian fans as the Super Eagles missed their first two penalties, and when Semi Ajayi failed to convert the sixth attempt, DR Congo emerged victorious. The Congolese team will now face either New Caledonia or Jamaica for a chance to secure Africa's tenth spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Looking Ahead to the Global Stage
If DR Congo succeeds in the Inter-confederation play-offs, Africa will be represented by ten teams at the 2026 World Cup, marking a significant achievement for the continent. The qualification journey has showcased both expected dominance from traditional powerhouses and surprising upsets that have reshaped African football narratives.
As preparations continue, African nations will be aiming to make a strong impression on the world stage, building on the continent's growing reputation in international football.
