Africa’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying effort started off on Wednesday, 15 November with 40 countries competing for the continent’s nine automatic finals spots in North America.
Africa’s journey to the World Cup is much of the time depicted as the most challenging in football as thrilling home fans also joining in the fascination with the upcoming big matches.
However, with FIFA increasing the finals to 48 teams, Africa’s portrayal ascends from five to nine direct places in 2026 which gives an additional motivating force during capability, which runs until October 2025.
Africa’s pioneers in Qatar, got a bye this week after Eritrea pulled out before their scheduled group.
That postpones the return of World Cup stars like Achraf Hakimi and Youssef En-Nesyri until next week Tuesday when they take on Tanzania.
The Atlas Lions shocked Belgium, Spain and Portugal en route to the semi-finals of the World Cup last year to become the first African side to reach the last four of the global competition.
As Africa’s World Cup hopefuls set out on the difficult experience to the 2026 World Cup, giants like Nigeria, Ghana and the current African champions Senegal are additionally anxious to dazzle.
Nigeria, holding back nothing World Cup appearance, are without injured stars Victor Osimhen and Samuel Chukwueze for games against Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe.
Ghana’s coach Chris Hughton is feeling the squeeze ahead of matches against Madagascar and Comoros. Captain and midfielder for the Black Stars Andre Ayew is back to help after the Stars’ heavy loss to the USA recently.
Continent champions Senegal, spearheaded by Sadio Mane, enter the fray next week. The 2022 quarter-finalists shape as serious contenders to go deep again in 2026.
Cameroon, Africa’s most regular World Cup participants with eight appearances, start their campaign against minnows Mauritius before facing Libya.
Zimbabwe also return from a year-long FIFA suspension for government interference to face Rwanda. However, Zimbabwe are among 19 sides prohibited from hosting home qualifiers in substandard stadiums.
Burkina Faso, Chad, Ethiopia and Somalia will also play ‘home’ fixtures at neutral venues. Zimbabwe take on regional rivals Nigeria in Rwanda this weekend.
With only nine group winners advancing to the finals, plus one playoff spot, the stakes are high from Matchday One.
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For Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and co., conquering the continent represents the first step towards World Cup glory in North America. Their two-year quest starts now.
Below are the Full fixtures and schedule for Africa’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Matchday 1
15 November
Equatorial Guinea 1-0 Namibia (Group H) | 1400 | Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
Rwanda 0-0 Zimbabwe (Group C) | 1500 | Butare, Rwanda
Congo DR v Mauritania (Group C) | 1500 | Butare, Rwanda
Ethiopia v Sierra Leone (Group A) | 2000 | El Jadida, Morocco
16 November
Botswana v Mozambique (Group G) | 1500 | Francistown, Botswana
Burundi v The Gambia (Group F) | 1600 | Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Gabon v Kenya (Group F) | 1700 | Franceville, Gabon
Nigeria v Lesotho (Group C) | 1700 | Uyo, Nigeria
Algeria v Somalia (Group G) | 1700 | Baraki, Algeria
Cape Verde v Angola (Group D) | 1800 | Praia, Cape Verde
Egypt v Djibouti (Group A) | 1800 | Cairo, Egypt
Sudan v Togo (Group B) | 1800 | Benina, Libya
17 November
Guinea v Uganda (Group G) | 1400 | Berkane, Morocco
Eswatini v Libya (Group D) | 1500 | Nelspruit, South Africa
Liberia v Malawi (Group H) | 1600 | Paynesville, Liberia
Ghana v Madagascar (Group I) | 1600 | Kumasi, Ghana
Comoros v Central African Republic (Group I) | 1600 | Moroni, Comoros
Zambia v Congo (Group E) | 1800 | Ndola, Zambia
Côte d’Ivoire v Seychelles (Group F) | 1900 | Ebimpe, Côte d’Ivoire
Mali v Chad (Group I) | 1900 | Bamako, Mali
Tunisia v Sao Tome e Principe (Group H) | 2000 | Rades, Tunisia
Cameroon v Mauritius (Group D) | 2000 | Douala, Cameroon
Burkina Faso v Guinea Bissau (Group A) | 2000 | Marrakesh, Morocco
18 November
South Africa v Benin (Group C) | 1500 | Durban, South Africa
Niger v Tanzania (Group E) | 1700 | Marrakesh, Morocco
Senegal v South Sudan (Group B) | 1900 | Diamniadio, Senegal
Matchday 2
19 November
Zimbabwe v Nigeria (Group C) | 1500 | Butare, Rwanda
Mozambique v Algeria (Group G) | 1500 | Maputo, Mozambique
Burundi v Gabon (Group F) | 1600 | Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Sierra Leone v Egypt (Group A) | 1600 | Paynesville, Liberia
Sudan v Congo DR (Group B) | 1800 | Benina, Libya
20 November
Djibouti v Guinea Bissau (Group A) | 1500 | Cairo, Egypt
Liberia v Equatorial Guinea (Group H) | 1600 | Paynesville, Liberia
Seychelles v Kenya (Group F) | 1900 | Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
The Gambia v Côte d’Ivoire (Group F) | 1900 | Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Mali v Central African Republic (Group I) | 1900 | Bamako, Mali
Chad v Madagascar (Group I) | 2000 | Oujda, Morocco
21 November
Somalia v Uganda (Group G) | 1400 | Berkane, Morocco
Botswana v Guinea (Group G) | 1500 | Francistown, Botswana
Malawi v Tunisia (Group H) | 1500 | Lilongwe, Malawi
Eswatini v Cape Verde (Group D) | 1500 | Nelspruit, South Africa
Rwanda v South Africa (Group C) | 1500 | Butare, Rwanda
Lesotho v Benin (Group C) | 1500 | Durban, South Africa
South Sudan v Mauritania (Group B) | 1600 | Diamniadio, Senegal
Togo v Senegal (Group B) | 1600 | Lome, Togo
Sao Tome e Principe v Namibia (Group H) | 1700 | Agadir, Morocco
Libya v Cameroon (Group D) | 1800 | Benina, Libya
Comoros v Ghana (Group I) | 1900 | Moroni, Comoros
Niger v Zambia (Group E) | 2000 | Marrakesh, Morocco
Mauritius v Angola (Group D) | 2000 | Saint Pierre, Mauritius
Ethiopia v Burkina Faso (Group A) | 2000 | El Jadida, Morocco
Tanzania v Morocco (Group E) | 2200 | Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
