The rules for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers have been changed in Africa. And that changes everything for some nations. At this time, four of the nine African selections invited to the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer are known. These are Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt and Algeria. Senegal, Benin, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast and Ghana hold the lead in the other qualifying groups. A final African representative who can join the event via play-offs.
It is precisely in the race for the play-offs that the Confederation of African Football dropped a small bomb, through an unnoticed note sent to the various member federations. Reserved for the four best runners-up in the group, these play-offs one day before the end of the elimination phase promise to invite Gabon, Cameroon, DR Congo and Madagascar. But the Indomitable Lions are indeed miraculous at this hour.
Because it is indeed the modification of the regulations decreed by CAF which now allows Cameroonians to run for a roadblock ticket. At the expense of nations such as Burkina Faso, Uganda and Niger. Eritrea's long-standing failure has indeed pushed the continental confederation to decree this subtle change with serious consequences.
A boon for Cameroon
The ranking of potential play-offs no longer takes into account the results of each person against the bottom of the group. An amendment to the initial contract which effectively erases Cameroon's poor performance against Eswatini last March. The Indomitable Lions then conceded a sad goalless draw in Mbombela, South Africa.
The men of Rigobert Song thus find themselves once again masters of their destiny. A victory against Angola next Monday and Cameroon will certainly be a barrier. Direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup is even possible for Bryan Mbeumo's partners in the event of a misstep by Cape Verde against Eswatini.
