How qualifying works
The African qualifiers will be played across two rounds. The first will be contested in the form of a group stage, with eight groups of six teams and one group of five, following Eritrea’s withdrawal. Each team will play two matches, home and away, against each of their opponents. The top finisher in each of the nine groups will qualify for World Cup 26.
The second round will pit the four best runners-up in two one-off semi-finals, followed by a final. The winner of this second round will participate in the FIFA Play-off Tournament.
FIFA Play-off
15-21 November, 2023: 1st vs 2nd matchday
3-11 June, 2024: 3rd vs 4th matchday
17-25 March, 2025: 5th vs 6th matchday
1-9 September, 2025: 7th vs 8th matchday
6-14 October, 2025: 9th vs 10th matchday
10-18 November, 2025: CAF play-off tournament
FIFA Play-Off Tournament
The FIFA Play-Off Tournament will see six sides fight it out for the final two places at the 23rd FIFA World Cup. It will involve two teams from Concacaf and one team apiece from the AFC, CAF, CONMEBOL and OFC. The four lowest-ranked nations will meet in bracket semi-finals. The two highest-ranked teams will go directly into the finals. The winners of the two bracket finals will reach the FIFA World Cup 26.
Credit: fifa.com
