World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Ivory Coast and Senegal Secure Final African Spots
The upcoming World Cup 2026 Qualifiers have confirmed the final African teams participating in the event. Ivory Coast and Senegal have secured their spots, each achieving remarkable feats during the qualification process.
Ivory Coast’s Flawless Performance
Ivory Coast is set to return to the World Cup finals for the first time since 2014. They excelled in the qualification round, completing a 10-game group campaign without conceding a single goal. This defensive record places them alongside Tunisia as the only African nations to achieve such a feat during this qualification cycle.
Senegal Joins the Ranks
Senegal will also compete in the tournament after successfully navigating their qualifiers. Their inclusion alongside Ivory Coast underscores the strength of African football in the lead-up to the World Cup.
Other African Teams Qualified
These two nations will join a strong lineup of qualified African teams:
- Morocco
- Tunisia
- Egypt
- Algeria
- Ghana
- Cape Verde
- South Africa
In total, seven teams have secured their places so far. However, there remains a chance for one more team to join if they succeed in upcoming continental play-offs scheduled for next month.
Continental Play-Offs and Final Spot
The winners of the continental play-offs will be determined from four contenders: Cameroon, DR Congo, Gabon, and Nigeria. These teams finished as the top four second-placed sides across the nine qualification groups.
One of these nations will have the opportunity to represent Africa as the tenth team at the expanded 48-team World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Next Steps for CAF
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is yet to announce the date for the play-off draw. Observers eagerly await this pivotal moment that will finalize the African contingent for the World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
