The race for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is heating up across Africa, with an unprecedented nine direct qualification spots and one inter-confederation playoff slot reserved for CAF teams, a significant increase from the previous five. This expanded format, announced by the CAF Executive Committee, involves teams drawn into nine groups of six. The winner of each group automatically qualifies for the World Cup, while the four best group runners-up will proceed to internal CAF playoffs, whose winner then advances to the six-nation inter-confederation playoffs in March next year, with two additional World Cup places at stake.

As the qualifying campaign nears its conclusion, several nations have already secured their berths, while others are locked in fierce competition. Egypt, spearheaded by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, became one of the first teams to qualify, defeating Djibouti 3-0 in Casablanca. Salah netted twice in that match, contributing to his nine-goal tally in the qualifying campaign. This victory gave Egypt an unassailable five-point lead over Burkina Faso in Group A, marking their return to the World Cup for the first time since Russia in 2018, and only their fourth appearance after 1934, 1990, and 2018.

Beyond Egypt, Morocco in Group E and Tunisia in Group H have also cemented their places. Morocco, fresh off their historic fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, secured their spot by leading Niger by a substantial nine points with a match remaining. Tunisia, who participated in both the 2018 and 2022 tournaments, qualified from Group H with a seven-point advantage over Namibia.

Elsewhere, the competition remains intense. Ghana delivered a dominant performance, trouncing the Central African Republic 5-0 in Meknes. Goals from Mohammed Salisu, Alexander Djiku, captain Jordan Ayew, Kamaldeen Sulemana, and former Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey propelled the Black Stars. Ghana now needs just one point from their final Group I match at home against Comoros to qualify, holding a significant goal difference advantage over Madagascar, while Mali has been eliminated from contention.

Cape Verde, known as the Blue Sharks, are on the cusp of a historic first World Cup appearance. They dramatically came from two goals down to draw 3-3 with Libya in Tripoli. Despite a disastrous start with an early own goal from Roberto Lopes, Telmo Arcanjo, Sidny Cabral, and Willy Semedo mounted a remarkable comeback. Cape Verde will clinch first place in Group D if they defeat Eswatini in Praia. They currently sit two points ahead of Cameroon, who boast an African record eight World Cup appearances.

Cameroon, needing maximum points to keep their automatic qualification hopes alive, secured a 2-0 victory against Mauritius in Saint-Pierre. Dynamo Moscow midfielder Nicolas Moumi Ngamaleu scored in the 57th minute, followed by Manchester United striker Bryan Mbeumo's fourth goal of the campaign in added time. Cameroon must win their final match at home to Angola in Yaounde to have any chance of direct qualification, otherwise, they will contend for a playoff spot as one of the best-ranked runners-up.

Meanwhile, South Africa's Bafana Bafana are actively pursuing their first World Cup appearance since automatically qualifying as hosts in 2010. They are currently second in Group C on goal difference behind Benin, with crucial upcoming matches against Zimbabwe and Rwanda. Benin, however, faces a tougher schedule with away fixtures against both Rwanda and Nigeria, which could open a path for South Africa to claim the top spot.