Africa World Cup qualifying enters decisive phase as final matchdays loom

African qualifying for the 2026 World Cup entered its decisive phase this week as the final two matchdays, scheduled between October 8 and 14, will determine the nine group winners who qualify directly for the expanded tournament and shape which runners‑up advance to further playoff rounds. Morocco and Tunisia have already sealed places; several other teams sit on the cusp of qualification while a handful of established nations face precarious paths to the finals.

Cape Verde stand closest to a maiden World Cup appearance, top of their group on 19 points and needing just one win from two remaining matches, against Libya and Eswatini, to secure automatic qualification. Gabon are also in contention, trailing Ivory Coast by a single point in their group and facing Gambia and Burundi in winnable fixtures that would put them in position to overtake the leaders if Ivory Coast falter. Madagascar sit three points behind Ghana in Group I and still control their destiny with games against Mali and Comoros, while Ghana travel to the Central African Republic on Wednesday and could seal qualification with a win and favourable results elsewhere.

Several continental heavyweights require...