&format=webp)
)
In a dramatic twist at the conclusion of the CAF qualifiers, Gabon, DR Congo, Cameroon, and Nigeria have each earned a second chance to keep Africa’s World Cup dream alive. The quartet—finishing as the top four runners-up in their respective qualification groups—will battle it out in a single-leg knockout playoff tournament in Morocco this November to determine who advances to the FIFA Intercontinental Playoffs.
The stakes could not be higher: only one of these teams will survive to represent Africa in the final global qualification stage in March 2026, where they’ll face opponents from Asia, South America, Oceania, and CONCACAF for one of the final two berths at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
How Each Team Earned Their Place in the Playoff
With nine CAF teams already qualified automatically as group winners, the new format allows for a potential tenth African representative through this playoff pathway.
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
&format=webp)
MUST READ: John Mahama: I want to see Ghana go beyond the semi-finals at the 2026 World Cup
After ten matchdays, CAF ranked the best second-placed teams based on points and goal difference—excluding matches against sixth-placed teams to maintain competitive balance after Eritrea’s withdrawal from the qualifiers.
Here’s how each of the four nations earned their ticket to Morocco:
Nigeria finished second in Group C with 17 points (excluding results against the bottom side) and a +7 goal differential, showing resilience despite a tightly contested campaign.
Cameroon claimed the runners-up spot in Group D, accumulating 19 points and a strong +12 goal difference, just behind surprise group winners Cape Verde.
DR Congo delivered one of the most consistent campaigns, finishing second in Group B with 22 points, comfortably among the top-ranked runners-up.
READ ALSO: We’re not there yet – Otto Addo urges Ghanaians to lower expectations ahead of World Cup
Gabon edged their way into the playoffs from Group G, securing 19 points with a +6 goal difference, narrowly outpacing several other contenders.
Format & Key Dates
CAF has confirmed that Morocco—already one of Africa’s automatic qualifiers and the host of the next AFCON—will stage the entire playoff as a neutral venue.
Semi-finals: November 13, 2025
Final: November 16, 2025
All fixtures will be single-leg encounters. In the event of a draw, matches will proceed to extra time and penalties. Teams are allowed five substitutions, with a sixth permitted in extra time.
READ MORE: Cape Verde makes history, becomes second smallest country to qaulify for first World Cup
Seeding for the semi-finals will be determined by the FIFA Men’s World Rankings (October 2025). The top-ranked runner-up will face the fourth seed, while the second and third seeds clash in the other semi-final.
The Intercontinental Road
The format:
The top two teams by FIFA ranking receive byes to the playoff final stage.
The remaining four play two semi-final matches.
Winners then move on to face the two seeded teams in separate finals.
Ties go to extra time and penalty shootouts; a sixth substitution is allowed in extra time.
With this path, Africa could potentially send 10 teams to the 2026 World Cup — 9 via automatic qualification, plus 1 via the inter-confederation playoff.