The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has announced that Rabat, the Moroccan capital, will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup African qualifying play-offs featuring Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The mini-tournament, scheduled to kick off on November 13, will determine which two African sides advance to next year’s intercontinental play-offs, where two of six competing nations will ultimately secure spots at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
In the opening semi-final, Nigeria will lock horns with Gabon in what promises to be a star-studded encounter between two elite forwards — Victor Osimhen, the Turkey-based Nigerian striker, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Marseille.
Osimhen’s recent hat-trick against Benin Republic was pivotal in helping Nigeria edge into the play-offs on goal difference, knocking out Burkina Faso in the process.
Later that evening, at a different venue in Rabat, Cameroon — Africa’s record World Cup participants with eight appearances — will take on DR Congo, who last qualified in 1974 under the name Zaire.
That semi-final is expected to feature Bryan Mbeumo, the Manchester United striker who was instrumental in his club’s Premier League win over Brighton last weekend.
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The winners of both semi-finals will clash in the final on November 17, with the victor advancing to the six-nation intercontinental play-offs in March 2026 at a yet-to-be-announced venue.
Among other regions, Bolivia and New Caledonia have already secured their intercontinental play-off spots.
Iraq or the UAE will represent Asia, while Curaçao and Costa Rica are favourites to claim the two Caribbean/Central American slots.
Fixtures (Rabat, Morocco)
November 13: Gabon vs Nigeria – 16:00 GMT
November 13: Cameroon vs DR Congo – 19:00 GMT
Final: November 16 – 19:00 GMT