The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that Morocco’s capital city, Rabat, will host the 2026 African World Cup qualifying play-offs, featuring four football powerhouses: Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, and Nigeria.
According to the schedule released on Wednesday, Nigeria will face Gabon in the opening semi-final on November 13, a highly anticipated match expected to showcase two of Africa’s most prolific forwards—Turkey-based Victor Osimhen and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Marseille.
Nigeria sealed their place in the play-offs after edging out Burkina Faso on goal difference, thanks to a hat-trick from Osimhen against Benin Republic in their final group-stage match earlier this month. The Super Eagles, who have featured in multiple World Cups, are determined to secure another appearance on football’s biggest stage.
Later that day, a second semi-final will take place between DR Congo and Cameroon, the latter holding the record for the most World Cup appearances by any African team, with eight participations. Manchester United striker Bryan Mbeumo is expected to play a key role for Cameroon, following his brace against Brighton last weekend, which lifted the Red Devils to sixth place in the Premier League standings.
DR Congo, formerly known as Zaire, will be hoping to make history by qualifying for the second time. Their only previous appearance came in 1974, where they suffered three defeats, including a 9-0 loss to Yugoslavia—still remembered as one of the most lopsided results in World Cup history.
The winners of the Rabat mini-tournament will progress to the six-nation intercontinental play-offs scheduled for next March at a yet-to-be-determined venue. Those play-offs will decide the final two spots at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, set to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Elsewhere, Bolivia and New Caledonia have already secured qualification, while Iraq or the United Arab Emirates will represent Asia. Curacao and Costa Rica are currently leading the race to claim the two available Caribbean and Central American slots.
Match Schedule:
Semi-finals
November 13 – Gabon vs Nigeria (1600 GMT), Cameroon vs DR Congo (1900 GMT)
Final
November 17 – 1900 GMT
All matches will take place in Rabat, Morocco.
What you should know
Morocco continues to position itself as a major host for African football tournaments, with the 2026 play-offs adding to its growing portfolio of international fixtures.
Nigeria, boasting the firepower of Victor Osimhen, aims to return to the World Cup after a disappointing 2022 qualifying campaign, while Cameroon seeks to extend its record of World Cup appearances. DR Congo and Gabon, on the other hand, are underdogs with strong ambitions to upset the heavyweights.
The stakes are high—only the play-off winners will advance to next year’s global qualifiers, keeping their World Cup dreams alive.
