There is the possibility of an added slot for Africa at next year’s finals with the winners of next month’s playoffs advancing to an intercontinental playoff tournament in March from which the last two World Cup places will be decided.
By Dennis MasindeThe opening match will take place on 11 June 2026 in Mexico City, with the final on 19 July in New Jersey.
By Dennis MasindeAnthony Gordon opened the scoring in Riga before Kane took his tally for club and country this season to 21 goals in 13 games. An own-goal and Eberechi Eze's strike then guaranteed England top spot in Group K of UEFA qualifying with two games to spare.
By RGK.co.keIn Group C, South Africa took advantage of Benin's loss to Nigeria to leapfrog into first, with the Super Eagles soaring into second. Côte d'Ivoire left no doubt in downing Kenya to clinch Group F, while Senegal ran rampant at home against Mauritania to sew up Group B.
By Dennis MasindeManchester United forward Amad Diallo cut inside his marker and sent a gorgeous pass into Franck Kessie, who took it in his stride and fired home for Emerson Fae’s men early on, to rapturous applause from a now party like crowd at the stadium. The excellent Yan Diomende made it two, before Diallo put the result to bed late on.
By Dennis MasindeSenegal, leading Group B with a two-point advantage over DR Congo, will look to seal the deal against Mauritania. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast must not slip up against Kenya to secure their group win. The suspense is also at its peak in Group C, where three teams are still in the running for qualification: Benin (17 pts), South Africa (15 pts), and Nigeria (14 pts).
By Dennis MasindeThe remarkable qualification of Cape Verde came after they made a disappointing start to the 10-match campaign, drawing 0-0 at home with Angola and slumping to a 4-1 loss in Cameroon.
By Dennis MasindeThe Elephants have won seven of their nine matches in the campaign, with the only blemishes being goalless draws against Kenya and Gabon on matchdays three and seven respectively.
By Dennis MasindeThe Teranga Lions and the Elephants are top of Groups B and F respectively, but will need home wins in the late-evening slot of games to guarantee a place at next year’s World Cup.
By Dennis MasindeAll winners of the nine African qualifying groups advance to the finals in Canada, Mexico and the US next June, but there is also a route for a potential extra place for one of the four best runners-up. They will play a mini tournament in Morocco in November to determine a single team that will go on to compete in an inter-continental playoff in March for a place in the 48-team field at the 2026 World Cup.
By Dennis MasindeThe Black Stars already had one foot in the 2026 finals thanks to a powerful position at the top of group I, and they ensured a fifth qualification for the World Cup (adding to appearances in 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2022) with a 1-0 win over Comoros – secured by a goal early in the second half from Mohammed Kudus.
By Dennis MasindeCaptain Joshua Kimmich's double inspired Germany to a 4-0 win over Luxembourg and to the top of Group A on goal difference with Slovakia and Northern Ireland, who await them in Belfast on Monday.
By RGK.co.keThe afternoon block of matches also offers up a chance for reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions Ivory Coast (World Cup appearances in 2006, 2010 and 2014) to win Group F. The Elephants will need to defeat the Seychelles in Saint Pierre (Mauritius) and hope that nearest chasers Gabon fall to a defeat away to Gambia in Nairobi (Kenya).
By Dennis MasindeAlgeria will head to their fifth World Cup in 2026, adding to appearances in 1982, 1986, 2010 and 2014. They join Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt in a North African quartet which has punched their ticket to North America.
By Dennis MasindeAlgeria need a point from their penultimate Group G clash against Somalia on Thursday to add their name to the list.
By Dennis MasindeHarambee Stars approach this fixture with renewed confidence, even if their 5-0 thrashing of bottom-placed Seychelles counted for little more than consolation after a 3-1 home loss to Gambia ended their World Cup hopes.
By Dennis MasindeWith only nine group winners guaranteed a ticket to next year’s expanded finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, the stakes could not be higher.
By Dennis Masinde