The epilogue of the African qualifications took place this Tuesday. The nine groups in the CAF zone have delivered their verdict, and with it, the list of the four teams who will fight for one last chance to access the 2026 World Cup. Nine direct tickets have already been distributed: Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Ghana, Cape Verde and South Africa. But for others, the adventure is not over. Four nations will compete in play-offs next month, with a system of semi-finals then a final. The winner will not be directly qualified, but will have to go through an intercontinental jump-off.
Nigeria saved at the last minute
The posters have fallen. Gabon will face Nigeria. DR Congo will face Cameroon. Two clashes between historic African football nations. And a certainty already established: at least one of the two giants, Nigeria or Cameroon, will miss the world tournament. If Nigeria falls, it will be the second time in a row after missing the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. A nightmare scenario for the Super Eagles, who have come a long way.
The Nigerians snatched their ticket for the play-offs this Tuesday by crushing Benin (4-0). A saving victory which allows them to finish in second place in their group and to be among the four best runners-up. Without this success, they would have been eliminated. The relief is immense, but the journey remains perilous. Against Aubameyang's Gabon, nothing will be simple. And behind it, a possible intercontinental barrier awaits.
Cameroon-DR Congo, a high-voltage shock
The other poster pits two teams used to major competitions against each other. Cameroon, five-time African champion, and DR Congo, a nation in full reconstruction under the control of Frenchman Sébastien Desabre. A duel that promises to be intense, with Cameroonian experience on one side, Congolese enthusiasm on the other. The loser will see their global dreams disappear. Among the runners-up who did not have the chance to compete in these play-offs, we find Burkina Faso, Tanzania and Uganda. For them, the bar was too high.
The African play-offs will take place next month. Round-trip semi-finals, then a final to determine who will face another confederation. The suspense is total. One thing is certain: an African giant will miss the 2026 World Cup. This is the qualifying game. Cruel, merciless.
