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2026 World Cup Field Reaches 28 as CAF Sets Morocco Playoff for Final African Hopeful

The November mini-tournament in Morocco will send Africa's last hopeful to the March intercontinental playoff.

Overview

  • Cameroon, DR Congo, Gabon and Nigeria will play semifinals on November 13 and a final on November 16 in Morocco, with seeding based on the October FIFA rankings.
  • Based on the expected rankings, Nigeria would face Gabon and Cameroon would meet DR Congo in the semifinals, pending CAF confirmation.
  • CAF compared runners-up by expunging results against last-placed teams, and Nigeria secured the final playoff berth by scoring a fourth goal against Benin.
  • Asia’s final path to the intercontinental playoff will see UAE face Iraq over two legs on November 13 and 18.
  • The World Cup draw is set for December 5 in Washington, D.C., with reports of visa denials for Iran’s delegation even as organizers say qualified teams will be allowed entry; the intercontinental playoff concludes on March 31, 2026.