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2026 World Cup: Africa’s hopefuls ready for tough qualifying marathon

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Africa’s marathon 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign kicks off on Wednesday, 15th November with 40 nations vying for the continent’s nine automatic finals spots in North America. 

The continent’s gruelling road to the World Cup is often described as the most arduous in football as exciting home fans adding some attraction to the tough qualifying matches.

But with FIFA expanding the finals to 48 teams, Africa’s representation rises from five to nine direct places in 2026 which provides an extra incentive during qualification, which runs until October 2025.

Africa’s trailblazers in Qatar, received a bye this week after Eritrea withdrew before their scheduled meeting.

That postpones the return of World Cup stars like Achraf Hakimi and Youssef En-Nesyri until next week Tuesday when they take on Tanzania.

The Atlas Lions stunned Belgium, Spain and Portugal en route to the semi-finals of the World Cup last year to become the first African side to reach the last four of the global competition.

As Africa’s World Cup hopefuls embark on the long road to the 2026 World Cup, giants like Nigeria, Ghana and African champions Senegal are eager to impress.

Nigeria, aiming for a seventh World Cup appearance, are without injured stars Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze for games against Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe.

But Portuguese coach Jose Peseiro can still call on quality replacements, including Victor Boniface and Taiwo Awoniyi. Concerns persist over goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, however.

Elsewhere, Ghana coach Chris Hughton is under pressure ahead of matches against Madagascar and Comoros. Veteran midfielder Andre Ayew returns to help after the Black Stars’ recent heavy defeat by the USA.

Continent champions Senegal, spearheaded by Sadio Mane, enter the fray next week. The 2022 quarter-finalists shape as serious contenders to go deep again in 2026.

Cameroon, Africa’s most regular World Cup participants with eight appearances, start their campaign against minnows Mauritius before facing Libya.

Elsewhere, Zimbabwe return from a year-long FIFA suspension for government interference to face Rwanda on Wednesday.

However, Zimbabwe are among 19 sides prohibited from hosting home qualifiers in substandard stadiums.

The likes of Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia and Somalia will also play ‘home’ fixtures at neutral venues. Zimbabwe take on regional rivals Nigeria in Rwanda this weekend. 

With only nine group winners advancing to the finals, plus one playoff spot, the stakes are high from Matchday One.

For Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and company, conquering the continent represents the first step towards World Cup glory in North America. Their two-year quest starts today.

Below are the fixtures for the matches to be played over the next seven days. (all kick-off times local)

Matchday 1

15 November

Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Namibia (Group H) | 16.00 | Malabo, Equatorial Guinea

Rwanda 0-0 Zimbabwe (Group C) | 16.00 | Butare, Rwanda

Congo DR 2-0 Mauritania (Group C) | 16.00 | Butare, Rwanda

Ethiopia v Sierra Leone (Group A) | 22.00 | El Jadida, Morocco

16 November

Botswana v Mozambique (Group G) | 16.00 | Francistown, Botswana

Burundi v The Gambia (Group F) | 16.00 | Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Gabon v Kenya (Group F) | 19.00 | Franceville, Gabon

Nigeria v Lesotho (Group C) | 19.00 | Uyo, Nigeria

Algeria v Somalia (Group G) | 19.00 | Baraki, Algeria

Cape Verde v Angola (Group D) | 20.00 | Praia, Cape Verde

Egypt v Djibouti (Group A) | 18.00 | Cairo, Egypt

Sudan v Togo (Group B) | 18.00 | Benina, Libya

17 November

Guinea v Uganda (Group G) | 16.00 | Berkane, Morocco

Eswatini v Libya (Group D) | 17.00 | Nelspruit, South Africa

Liberia v Malawi (Group H) | 18.00 | Paynesville, Liberia

Ghana v Madagascar (Group I) | 18.00 | Kumasi, Ghana

Comoros v Central African Republic (Group I) | 18.00 | Moroni, Comoros

Zambia v Congo (Group E) | 20.00 | Ndola, Zambia

Côte d’Ivoire v Seychelles (Group F) | 21.00 | Ebimpe, Côte d’Ivoire

Mali v Chad (Group I) | 21.00 | Bamako, Mali

Tunisia v Sao Tome e Principe (Group H) | 22.00 | Rades, Tunisia

Cameroon v Mauritius (Group D) | 22.00 | Douala, Cameroon

Burkina Faso v Guinea Bissau (Group A) | 2000 | Marrakesh, Morocco

18 November

South Africa v Benin (Group C) | 17.00 | Durban, South Africa

Niger v Tanzania (Group E) | 19.00 | Marrakesh, Morocco

Senegal v South Sudan (Group B) | 21.00 | Diamniadio, Senegal

Matchday 2

19 November

Zimbabwe v Nigeria (Group C) | 17.00 | Butare, Rwanda

Mozambique v Algeria (Group G) | 17.00 | Maputo, Mozambique

Burundi v Gabon (Group F) | 18.00 | Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Sierra Leone v Egypt (Group A) | 18.00 | Paynesville, Liberia

Sudan v Congo DR (Group B) | 20.00 | Benina, Libya

20 November

Djibouti v Guinea Bissau (Group A) | 17.00 | Cairo, Egypt

Liberia v Equatorial Guinea (Group H) | 18.00 | Paynesville, Liberia

Seychelles v Kenya (Group F) | 21.00 | Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire

The Gambia v Côte d’Ivoire (Group F) | 21.00 | Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

Mali v Central African Republic (Group I) | 21.00 | Bamako, Mali

Chad v Madagascar (Group I) | 2200 | Oujda, Morocco

21 November

Somalia v Uganda (Group G) | 16.00 | Berkane, Morocco

Botswana v Guinea (Group G) | 16.00 | Francistown, Botswana

Malawi v Tunisia (Group H) | 16.00 | Lilongwe, Malawi

Eswatini v Cape Verde (Group D) | 16.00 | Nelspruit, South Africa

Rwanda v South Africa (Group C) | 1600 | Butare, Rwanda

Lesotho v Benin (Group C) | 16.00 | Durban, South Africa

South Sudan v Mauritania (Group B) | 16.00 | Diamniadio, Senegal

Togo v Senegal (Group B) | 18.00 | Lome, Togo

Sao Tome e Principe v Namibia (Group H) | 19.00 | Agadir, Morocco

Libya v Cameroon (Group D) | 20.00 | Benina, Libya

Comoros v Ghana (Group I) | 21.00 | Moroni, Comoros

Niger v Zambia (Group E) | 22.00 | Marrakesh, Morocco

Mauritius v Angola (Group D) | 21.00 | Saint Pierre, Mauritius

Ethiopia v Burkina Faso (Group A) | 21.00 | El Jadida, Morocco

Tanzania v Morocco (Group E) | 22.00 | Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania

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