Intense Battle as Five Teams Compete for Last Three African Spots in 2026 World Cup

Five African nations are set to compete for the last three spots at the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. These teams include the prominent footballing nations Senegal, Nigeria, and Cote d’Ivoire, alongside potential debutants Benin and Gabon.

Key Matches in the Final Qualifying Round

The qualifying matches are critical, with fierce competition in Group C. Benin will face Nigeria, aiming to secure their place in the World Cup. Coach Gernot Rohr, who previously led Nigeria to the 2018 World Cup, remains optimistic. “We still have to do something great against Nigeria,” he stated.

Current Standings and Implications

• Benin is currently leading Group C, following FIFA’s decision to dock South Africa three points for fielding an ineligible player.
• Nigeria has maintained their hopes with a recent victory over Lesotho.
• The final matches will determine who qualifies for the World Cup.

Nigeria must secure a convincing win against Benin at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo. They also need South Africa to lose to Rwanda. Coach Eric Chelle stressed the need for focus, stating, “We need to focus on our game.”

South Africa’s Setback

South Africa’s situation has worsened due to FIFA’s sanction, reducing their points from 17 to 14. Despite this setback, Coach Hugo Broos remains hopeful. He said, “We have to win and believe that with a little miracle, we can still qualify.”

Group F Dynamics

In Group F, Cote d’Ivoire is vying for their place against Kenya at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium. They need to match Gabon’s performance against Burundi to qualify for the World Cup. Gabon, however, will be without star player Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who was red-carded recently.

Senegal’s Lead in Group B

Group B leaders Senegal enter their final match against Mauritania with a two-point advantage over the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). DRC will host Sudan at Stade des Martyrs in Kinshasa. Senegal needs to at least match DRC’s result to ensure their qualification.

The stakes are high as these teams strive for a spot in the highly anticipated tournament. Each match will be crucial in determining who earns a coveted place at the 2026 World Cup.